Paralegal Studies (*Undergraduate*) Certificate Program

Approved by the American Bar Association, the Paralegal Studies (Undergraduate) Certificate prepares students for a career as a professional paralegal in a law firm, business, government, or nonprofit organization. The program fulfills educational requirements to work as a paralegal in California and is taught by UCLA School of Law-approved instructors.

Courses

7 Required

Methods

Live Online

F-1 Visa Eligible

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This program is perfect for...

Individuals without a bachelor's degree wanting to become paralegals

Prospective paralegals who want training in substantive and procedural law

Pre-law students looking for early exposure to core areas of law taught in the first year of law school

Individuals looking for ABA-approved, nationally recognized training to become a paralegal

What you can learn.

Gain an overview of the paralegal profession as well as the responsibilities and opportunities for paralegals in various practice areas

Analyze governing principles of law in the areas of contracts, torts, criminal law, real property, business organizations, and securities law

Understand stages of civil procedure, from pleadings and discovery through preparing for and presenting evidence at trial

Learn how to conduct legal research, analysis, draft legal documents, and utilize legal technology

ABA-approved program for over 50 years. Our program was one of the first to be approved by the American Bar Association as meeting high standards in faculty selection, academics, resources, curriculum, programming, administration, and student services.

For over five decades, UCLA Extension’s Paralegal Training Program has been setting students up for success. Recognized by employers throughout Los Angeles and beyond, our program equips students with a thorough understanding of the functions and ethics needed in this ever-growing profession. Our program qualifies graduates to hold themselves as paralegals under the California Business & Professions Code §6450. It has been designed specifically to prepare students to perform and adapt successfully in an ever-changing legal environment.

Financial Aid is Available
The Paralegal Training Program is approved for Federal Financial Aid. For more information, see Financial Aid Eligibility and FAQs.

UCLA School of Law
Program curriculum is developed in cooperation with the UCLA School of Law, with input from our Advisory Committee of industry experts. Instructors are also vetted and approved by the UCLA School of Law and include attorneys, judges, paralegals, and other legal professionals, selected from a broad spectrum of the legal community. Some are also graduates of the program themselves, who have gone on to careers as practicing attorneys or judges. Our diverse instructor base delivers a unique and relevant perspective on the legal field.

Choose the Program That Works for You
Already mid-career, or have a busy schedule? No problem! There's no need to put your life on hold to switch careers, or expand your career options.

2-Quarter Daytime Program
Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

This 2-quarter program offers a more traditional class schedule, designed for those who work nights or have other obligations, but have the mornings available for study.

4-Quarter Evening Program
2 evenings a week, from 6:30-10 p.m.

This 4-quarter program is designed to meet the busy schedules of working professionals.

Live Online Instruction

The 2- and 4-quarter programs are both offered live online which means all class meetings are scheduled and held in real-time using Zoom, allowing for live interaction with your classmates and instructors.

Note: Program offerings, including times and locations, may vary by quarter.

Our program is ABA-approved. Pursuant to ABA Guidelines, students must take at least nine-semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction. Our Paralegal Training Program (LAW X 406 series), meets this requirement.

Please Note: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Learn More

Online Information Session

Join us for a live webcast to learn more about paralegal career paths, industry requirements and the benefits of our program. Hear directly from a program graduate, instructor, and a member of the Los Angeles Paralegal Association.

Reserve Your Spot

The goals of the Paralegal Training Program are to prepare students to:

Function as ethical, effective, and efficient professional paralegals in law firms, businesses, government, and nonprofit organizations
Perform a wide variety of legal work under the supervision of attorneys
Adapt easily to the changing role of the paralegal and to the changing needs of the legal community

The objectives of the Paralegal Training Program are to:

Provide candidates with high quality-ABA approved instruction with an emphasis on substantive and procedural law, legal analysis, and practical paralegal skills from a variety of legal professionals including judges, attorneys, and paralegals
Develop in candidates a practical understanding of the role, function, and ethical responsibilities of paralegals in various legal environments
Provide candidates and graduates with guidance and tools for successful career planning and professional development in the legal profession

Live Online Instruction
The 5- and 11-month programs are both offered live online which means all class meetings are scheduled and held in real-time using Zoom, allowing for live interaction with your classmates and instructors.

5-Month Daytime Program
Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PT

11-Month Evening Program
2 evenings a week, from 6:30-10 p.m. PT

Applicants must possess the following education:

An associate degree
OR
60 semester or 90 quarter units (or hours) earned from a regionally accredited college or university.
Note: At least 18 semester or 27 quarter units (or hours) must be considered general educational courses as defined by the ABA in at least three different disciplines. General education courses defined by the ABA include college-level courses that provide students with critical reasoning and writing skills such as social and behavioral science, English composition and literature, foreign language, mathematics, humanities, and natural science. Courses designed to develop professional, vocational, and technical skills are not considered general education.

Applicants with a conferred/awarded baccalaureate (BA/BS) or higher degree should apply using the graduate application. See https://www.uclaextension.edu/legal-programs/paralegal-studies/certificate/paralegal-studies.

The Paralegal Training Program does not accept transfer credits of legal specialty course work completed at other institutions or award legal specialty credit by examination or portfolio review.

Upcoming Program Dates and Deadlines

Application Required Prior to Enrolling
Candidates must apply and be accepted into the program before enrolling in the required course.

2-Quarter Program (Daytime)
Location: Live Online
Days & Time: Mon-Fri, 9am-12:30pm PT
Program Dates: Jun 22 – Dec 2026
Application Deadline for Financial Aid Students: Feb 27
Application Deadline for Self-Pay (Non-Financial Aid) Students: Mar 20
Enrollment Deadline: May 22

4-Quarter Program (Evening)
Location: Live Online
Days & Time: Mon & Wed, 6:30-10pm PT
Program Dates: Jun 24, 2026 – Jun 2027
Application Deadline for Financial Aid Students: Feb 27
Application Deadline for Self-Pay (Non-Financial Aid) Students: Mar 20
Enrollment Deadline: May 22

2-Quarter Program (Daytime)
Location: Live Online
Days & Time: Mon-Fri, 9am-12:30pm PT
Program Dates: Sep 2026 – March 2027

4-Quarter Program (Evening)
Location: Live Online
Days & Time: Tue & Thu, 6:30-10pm PT
Program Dates: Sep 2026 – Aug 2027

Application opens: Apr 21
Application Deadline for Financial Aid Students: May 22
Application Deadline for Self-Pay (Non-Financial Aid) Students: Jun 18
Enrollment Deadline: Aug 21

2-Quarter Program (Daytime)
Location: Live Online
Days & Time: Mon-Fri, 9am-12:30pm PT
Program Dates: Jan – June 2027

4-Quarter Program (Evening)
Location: Live Online
Days & Time: Mon & Wed, 6:30-10pm PT
Program Dates: Jan – Dec 2027

Application opens: Jul 20
Application Deadline for Financial Aid Students: Aug 21
Application Deadline for Self-Pay (Non-Financial Aid) Students: Sep 18
Enrollment Deadline: Nov 20

2-Quarter Program (Daytime)
Location: Live Online
Days & Time: Mon-Fri, 9am-12:30pm PT
Program Dates: Mar – Sep 2027

4-Quarter Program (Evening)
Location: Live Online
Days & Time: Tue & Thu, 6:30-10pm PT
Program Dates: Mar 2027 – Mar 2028

Application opens: Oct 12
Application Deadline for Financial Aid Students: Nov 13
Application Deadline for Self-Pay (Non-Financial Aid) Students: Dec 11
Enrollment Deadline: Feb 26, 2027

Cost and Fees

There is no application fee. Students must apply and be admitted into the program before enrolling in the first course. This program is approved for Federal Financial Aid.

Application and Candidacy Fee

N/A

Estimated Textbooks and Materials

$1889

Estimated Program Tuition

$8780

Payment Options

This program is a total of 36 to 40 quarter units. Estimated tuition per credit hour is $243.88.

Required Courses

Required

Paralegal Training Program – Part 1

This ABA-Approved program provides training in the substantive and procedural law, ethics and professional responsibility and practical skills to work as a paralegal in California.

Paralegal Training Program – Part 2

This ABA-Approved program provides training in the substantive and procedural law, ethics and professional responsibility and practical skills to work as a paralegal in California.

Paralegal Training Program – Part 3

This ABA-Approved program provides training in the substantive and procedural law, ethics and professional responsibility and practical skills to work as a paralegal in California.

Paralegal Training Program – Part 4

This ABA-Approved program provides training in the substantive and procedural law, ethics and professional responsibility and practical skills to work as a paralegal in California.

Oral Communication and Presentation Skills for Legal and Business Professionals

This course provides a foundational summary of how to approach oral business communications.

Effective Writing in Legal and Business Settings

This course is designed to be a companion to the oral communications course covering pre-writing essentials and more.

Legal Internship

This internship course provides eligible students with an opportunity to apply their paralegal studies knowledge to a real world legal environment.

An internship in paralegal studies can provide you with practical experience in a variety of legal job functions. This course is restricted to students and graduates of the Paralegal Training Program.

Learn More

Related Programs

Paralegal Studies (Graduate)

certificate

Paralegal Studies (Graduate)

certificate Approved by the American Bar Association, the Paralegal Studies Certificate prepares students for a career as a professional paralegal in a law firm, business, government, or nonprofit organization. The program fulfills educational requirements to work as a paralegal in California and is taught by UCLA School of Law-approved instructors.

Approved by the American Bar Association, the Paralegal Studies Certificate prepares students for a career as a professional paralegal in a law firm, business, government, or nonprofit organization. The program fulfills educational requirements to work as a paralegal in California and is taught by UCLA School of Law-approved instructors.

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Paralegal Studies (*Undergraduate*)