Complete an ABA-Approved Paralegal Certificate in just 12 weeks Live Online
Our intensive and rigorous accelerated paralegal program allows a student to complete the courses in the program in one quarter (full time); with successful completion resulting in an ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate that is recognized in every state.
The program is held three times a year during the Spring (March), Summer (June), and Fall (September) quarters. Our nationally recognized program has been approved by the ABA for the last 30 years and has traditionally taken place in-person at our UCSD University City Center in San Diego. For the upcoming Spring quarter, classes will be held both online and live online via Zoom, Monday –Thursday, 9am – 4pm, allowing a student to attend and complete the certificate program from anywhere they have access to online resources.
Live Online class meetings are scheduled to meet online at specific published dates and times (Pacific Standard Time). Attendance is required for all meetings.
Please note, we do not offer the Accelerated Program in the Winter quarter.
Questions?
Email us at unexlaw@ucsd.edu
Curriculum
The following topics are covered in the full-time study program.
Per ABA Paralegal Education Guidelines: All students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
2023 Accelerated Program Dates
Spring 2023: March 27, 2023 - June 16, 2023
Summer 2023: June 26, 2023 - September 16, 2023
Fall 2023: September 25, 2023 - December 16, 2023
(Schedules subject to change)
Fees
The program fee is $7,495 and includes instruction, course materials and textbooks, lifetime placement assistance and services, certificate fee, parking permit (as needed), visits to relevant sites, orientation and graduation lunch. A $500 deposit is required upon acceptance in the program. This certificate program is exempt from any discounts.
Certificate Program Enrollment
Candidates must be officially accepted into the full-time program before attending classes. Enrollment is limited.
All courses must have a letter grade.
All courses must be completed with a C- or better to receive the certificate.
If a student fails a course in the program, the student is required to pay any additional fees to retake the course.
Refunds and Withdrawals
Requests for withdrawal from the full-time program must be submitted in writing to the Paralegal Program office. The $95 application fee is nonrefundable. If the participant requests withdrawal prior to the beginning of the program, the balance of the fee is refunded in full. If a participant requests withdrawal after the program begins, refunds are offered on the following basis:
- Withdrawal before or during the second week of instruction: 65 percent refund
- Withdrawal before or during the third week of instruction: 35 percent refund
- Withdrawal after the third week of instruction: no refund
Financial Aid
“Financial resources are available to certificate candidates. Email unex-finasst@ucsd.edu for information or visit the financial resources webpage.”
Role of a Paralegal
The ABA defines a "Paralegal" as a person, qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by an attorney, law firm, corporation, governmental agency or other entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work under the direction and supervision of a practicing licensed attorney. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 6450 et seq.)
The part-time program allows participants to study for a new career without disrupting their work schedules and daytime commitments. Traditionally the program has taken place in-person at our UCSD University City Center in San Diego. For the upcoming Spring quarter, classes will be held both online and live online via Zoom.
Part-time students pay for courses when they enroll and need not pay for the entire program in advance. Part-time students may also take the daytime Accelerated courses. Live Online class meetings are scheduled to meet online at specific published dates and times (Pacific Standard Time). Attendance is required for all meetings.
On an average, the part-time program takes 12 to 24 months to complete. Students enrolled in three to four courses each quarter can satisfy certificate requirements within one year.
Core Courses
The following courses comprise the part-time program. You may click each individual course to view schedule of offerings, course descriptions, and enrollment information.
Per ABA Paralegal Education Guidelines: All students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
Electives
A combination of one-, two-, and three-unit electives that total six units are needed to complete the program. One or more electives are offered each quarter. See the quarterly UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies catalog for detailed course information.
Quarters Start:
September, January, March and June. Students may begin program in any quarter.
Fees
Individual courses are listed in the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies quarterly catalog and at extension.ucsd.edu/law. Certificate candidates can expect to pay approximately $5,100-$5,200 for the entire program, not including materials, books, and a $95 application fee. Students pay for courses at the time of enrollment and can spread out the cost of the program over several quarters. Costs of courses are subject to change.
Certificate Program Enrollment
Although anyone may enroll in any or all of the evening courses, those who wish to earn a certificate must formally apply for the certificate before enrolling in their third course. Upon acceptance into the program, candidates have five years from the date of enrollment in their first class to successfully complete all requirements.
Certificate enrollees have priority enrollment in courses.
All courses must have a letter grade.
All courses must be completed with a C- or better to receive the certificate.
If a student fails a course in the program, the student is required to pay any additional fees to retake the course.
Transfer Credit
Credit from other University of California ABA approved programs is accepted (credit from other schools is accepted only by special permission). However, nine courses must be taken through UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, regardless of whether the students have completed core requirements elsewhere.
Information
For more information about the Paralegal Program, please email unexlaw@ucsd.edu. Detailed descriptions and schedules of evening classes are posted quarterly on the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies website.
Financial Aid
“Financial resources are available to certificate candidates. Email unex-finasst@ucsd.edu for information or visit the financial resources webpage.”
Refunds and Withdrawals
Refund and withdrawal policies are listed in the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies catalog. The $95 application fee is nonrefundable. Note: The Paralegal Program reserves the right to dismiss a student from the program at any time for unsatisfactory performance. If a student is dismissed, refunds are granted on the same basis as withdrawals.
Interested in learning more about our legal programs? Discover the career and personal benefits of paralegal training at a free info session.
Watch the info session on YouTube now, by clicking on the link below.
Legal Education Professional Certificates Information Session
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The intensive accelerated program allows students to complete instruction in 12 weeks. The program is offered three times a year the fall, spring, and summer quarters. The part-time program permits students to begin the program in any quarter. Quarters start in September, January, March and June.
Application Deadlines
Applications must be submitted four weeks prior to the beginning of the term for the accelerated program. For the part-time program, applications should be submitted before the term in which the student begins, and the application file must be complete before the student enrolls in their third class. Students applying to the accelerated program are advised to apply early.
Graduates of the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Paralegal Program have access to job assistance through the Paralegal Program. The Paralegal Career Services Manager conducts individual counseling sessions on cover letter and resume drafting, job sourcing, and interviewing techniques, and provides general career guidance to Paralegal Program students and alumni. The Career Services Manager regularly participates in community job development activities and refers program graduates to companies offering employment opportunities, internships, and externships. While UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies cannot guarantee job placement, the Career Services Manager is available to help students develop career skills, identify personal strengths and goals, and ultimately translate these elements into successful employment opportunities. Career services are available at no additional fee for all program graduates.
Job Bank
In addition, the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Paralegal Program posts available legal support staff job opportunities to an online, members-only job bank. Positions are posted as they are received and graduates may elect to receive daily alerts when positions are posted.
Admission requirements are the same for both the Accelerated and Part-Time programs. Standards are set by the ABA and are reviewed periodically. Applicants must meet entrance requirements prior to admission. The basic requirements and submissions are as follows:
- Bachelor's degree (for the Accelerated Program) or significant legal experience (preapproval required)
- Minimum of an Associate's Degree or equivalent general education units (for the Part-time Program) or significant legal experience (preapproval required)
- Completion of the Application for Candidacy in the Paralegal Program
- A $95 processing fee, payable to UC Regents. This fee covers the application evaluation and counseling throughout the program.
- Official transcripts of college work
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with the applicant's academic and/or professional background.
*Degrees completed outside of the United States may have an additional english language proficiency requirement.
Technology Requirements
Students in this program participate in online learning activities, both synchronously and asynchronously. This Program is currently delivered in a Live Online/Online format and completed in an online learning environment; therefore, in addition to having the traditional learning skills, students are expected to have basic technological skills, compatible computer hardware, operating system, and internet connectivity upon entrance into the program.
English Language Proficiency
English-language proficiency is essential to success in UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies courses. Applicants are required to have an advanced level of English-language proficiency as demonstrated by one of the following:
- A minimum paper-based TOEFL score of 550
- A minimum TOEFL iBT (internet-based) score of 80
- A minimum TOEIC score of 760
- A minimum IELTS score of 6.5
- A "Pass" on the Cambridge Proficiency Exam
If you are not eligible to take the Paralegal Program because you do not satisfy the English language proficiency requirement, you may enroll as a full-time student at UCSD Division of Extended Studies' English Language Institute (ELI). For more information about UCSD Division of Extended Studies' English language programs, visit their website.
Attributes of an Ideal Paralegal Program Candidate
“A candidate's personal qualifications for admission into a paralegal education program are very important. Applicants must be able to write clearly and communicate effectively and must possess a high degree of motivation and analytical reasoning capability. Candidates should also be responsible, mature individuals who are sincerely interested in pursuing a career as a paralegal.”
- AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
www.americanbar.org
The ABA defines a "Paralegal" as a person, qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by an attorney, law firm, corporation, governmental agency or other
entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work under the direction and supervision of a practicing licensed attorney. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 6450 et seq.)