Paralegal Studies
Post-Baccalaureate
Certificate

The Paralegal Certificate Program is open to any student who has successfully completed an undergraduate (BS or BA) degree, and focuses on the skills you will need to become a legal professional, assisting attorneys at public or private law practices. Here’s how the program works:

• Complete 30 credits of paralegal studies courses.
• Submit a paralegal portfolio at an exit interview with the program coordinator upon successful completion of the coursework.
• Online Paralegal Studies (ULAW) courses require proctored exams at approved sites.
• The American Bar Association requires that a minimum of 9 credits of coursework be taken in a synchronous format (online, but at the same time as the on-campus course)
• Transfer up to 12 credits of “legal specialty” courses taken in a program approved by the American Bar Association. Only courses that you have taken in the last five years will be considered and must be substantially similar to an existing NSU paralegal studies course. You must have passed the course with a grade “C” or higher, and the course must be approved by the paralegal studies program coordinator.

Tuition and Fees

Visit the Tuition and Fees page for information on the total cost of attendance.

Payment is due when registration is completed. If payment is not received 30 days after start of term, the student will be assessed a late fee. If payment is not received by the end of the term, the student will not be allowed to register for the next term or view final grades. Please visit the Bursar's website for more information on payments.

You must be registered for a minimum of six credits (two courses) to be eligible to receive aid. In the case of a two part term, such as Winter or Fall, you may either register for two courses only in Part 1 or 2 or one course in Part 1 and one course in Part 2. However, you must be registered for both classes prior to the start of Part 1 to be eligible to receive aid.

A student must remain in good standing with the Bursar's Office. If the student's account is not clear of charges before a registration period begins, the student will not be permitted to register for classes.

Tuition and Student Service Fees do not cover the cost of textbooks. Textbook prices will vary from term to term, with some professors not requiring any textbooks; however, it is fair to estimate a few hundred dollars per term to cover the cost of textbooks.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid is available for those who qualify. Note that although this a post-baccalaureate certificate program, tuition and financial aid funds are part of the undergraduate aid allotment. Apply for financial assistance and view additional information by going to the NSU Student Financial Assistance website.

LEX Chapter Scholarships

NSU Scholarships

Tuition and Fees are subject to change.

Paralegal Certificate Program Term Dates

Winter 2024

Classes:
Term I: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 – Sunday, February 25, 2024
Term II: Monday, March 4, 2024 – Sunday, April 28, 2024
Full Semester: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 – Sunday, April 28, 2024

Summer 2024

Classes:
Monday, May 6, 2024 - Sunday, June 23, 2024.

Sample Schedule

A paralegal, as defined by the American Bar Association, is "a person, qualified by education, training or work experience, who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity, and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible." The goal of the program is to prepare students for entry-level paralegal positions in the common areas of law practice. Paralegals are nonlawyers and therefore are prohibited from the unauthorized practice of law. This program trains paralegals and is not a program for training lawyers or legal administrators.