Paralegal Studies Undergraduate Certificate
The paralegal studies certificate prepares students for work as paralegals and for careers in the field of law. This American Bar Association-approved program focuses on both theory and practice and is open to all students.
Students in this program can play an important role in the
delivery of legal services but they are not permitted to practice
law. To practice law, learners must obtain a law school degree and
satisfy other state requirements for admission to the bar.
Program Overview
Students seeking a certificate in paralegal studies must complete 30 credit hours. Students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree must complete a bachelor's degree to earn the certificate; the certificate will be awarded when the degree is awarded. Students who have already completed a bachelor's degree must submit an application for admission to the legal studies program. An overall GPA of at least 2.7 is required for admission.
Although most courses taken at other colleges and universities may be
accepted for full credit, only a limited number will be counted toward
the major. Students must take at least two-thirds of the credits
constituting the major at GVSU, and a maximum of nine designated legal
specialty credits can be earned through transfer. In addition, at
least nine credits of legal specialty courses must be taken through
synchronous instruction. When a student makes a request for credit by
transfer, an official transcript from the institution where those
credits were awarded must be presented to the registrar's office. The
program coordinator will review the course description and syllabus
from the institution that awarded the credits and determine whether
the credit appears to cover substantially the same material as the
course at GVSU. Courses that have already been reviewed and approved
can be found on the Course Equivalency Guide. The legal studies
program does not award legal specialty credit by examination.
Why Paralegal Studies at Grand Valley?
- The certificate is approved by the American Bar Association and features a curriculum that provides a strong foundation in writing and critical thinking with an emphasis on professional skills necessary for success in the legal field.
- The certificate consists of 30 credits and can be completed in 3 terms.
- The program prides itself on the diverse professional experience of its faculty members, most of whom are licensed attorneys, who collectively have many years of experience working in areas of civil and criminal law.
- The program has an advisory board consisting of attorneys and paralegals representing a broad cross-section of employers. The board plays an important role by giving guidance on matters such as curriculum, internship and employment opportunities, and trends in the legal field.
Admissions
To submit an application for admission to the paralegal undergraduate certificate program, click here.
Location & Format
Undergraduate students in this program meet downtown on the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
Format:- Face To Face
Coursework
- Substantive law, including contracts, criminal law, torts, property, business law, and family law
- Oral and written communication
- Critical thinking skills
- Investigation and legal research
- Legal ethics and professionalism
Career Options
The certificate is a stepping stone for law-related work in many areas, including:
- Insurance companies
- Government agencies
- Law firms
- Courts
- Corporations
- Nonprofit organizations
Helpful Links
For More Information
School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies
gvsu.edu/cj
289C Richard M. DeVos
Center
(616) 331-7130