Online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Law & Paralegal Studies
Whether you’re seeking a paralegal profession, or you want to enhance your skills, the University of Cincinnati’s online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Law & Paralegal Studies can help you take the next step in your career.
Please note: This is a post-baccalaureate certificate. A bachelor’s degree (in any field of study) from an accredited university is required for admission.
Post-Baccalaureate Law & Paralegal Studies Certificate Overview
Through our online law and paralegal certificate program, you will acquire critical skills sought by employers, preparing you for different legal settings. Taught by licensed attorneys, the courses cover core areas of law—such as Legal Research & Writing, Law Office Technology, Civil Litigation, and Investigative Techniques and Evidence.
Post-Baccalaureate Law & Paralegal Studies Certificate Highlights
High Quality Education
- American Bar Association-approved
- All classes taught by licensed attorneys
For students interested in applying to this certificate, please submit an information request or speak with your Enrollment Services Advisor for application instructions.
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
Flexibility
- 100% online: no campus visits are required*
- Start in the fall, spring, or summer semester
- Graduate in as little as one year
* Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your partner through the application process, getting enrolled, and starting your program
Student Success Coordinator: Helping you prepare for classes and stay on track
Access to Resources: Access to university resources that will support you through your program including online learning expectations and resources, health and wellness resources, and academic support
Students in the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Law and Paralegal Studies program will take the following core courses. Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
| Course | Title/Description | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| PARA3030 | Exploring the Legal Profession Exploring the Legal Profession is intended for students in the Law and Paralegal Studies certificate program, and will provide students a broad understanding of the American legal system. This course will provide an introduction to two key areas: 1) the role of paralegals in the legal profession, including ethical considerations arising from the practice of law as well as historical perspectives that have impacted the legal system. This will also include the impact of paralegals in the current legal climate in relation to political influence, community needs, access to justice, diversity and equality; and 2) the process of legal reasoning through studying the United States legal system and focusing on the substantive areas of contract and tort law. |
3 |
| PARA1011 | Legal Research and Writing This course provides an understanding of the law library, including computer assisted legal research. Students will learn to use a variety of primary and secondary research material, as well as their organization, and inter-relationships. Skill in researching various legal problems will be developed and students will learn basic legal writing skills. |
3 |
| PARA1013C | Law Office Technology This course will provide the student with an overview of computer technology applicable to law office management, document production, scheduling(including docket control), litigation support and case management software (relational databases). This course includes hands-on computer assignments utilizing various legal software packages commonly used in the legal and business community. It is designed to train paralegals with the theoretical and practical skills to enable them to work in legal environments that utilize computers. |
3 |
| PARA2021 | Civil Litigation I This course will provide an introduction to the civil litigation process from the initial investigation through its completion. Students will be introduced to the functions of the federaland state court systems and to the concepts of jurisdiction and venue. Students will gain experience reading and understanding the Ohio and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the local rules of several courts. Students will learn how, when, where, and why a civil lawsuit may be initiated. During the course, the role of paralegals in the civil litigation process and theskills needed by litigation paralegals will be discussed. Students will be introduced to pleadings and to motion practice, and will have the opportunity to draft pleadings used in civil litigation. |
3 |
| PARA2022 | Civil Litigation II Students will learn the various components of the civil trial process, and the paralegal's role in that process, in a hands-on, skills-based approach. The course will focus on the traditional discovery process, electronic discovery, the evidentiary rules, trial preparation and process and the appellate process. The course will address the role of paralegals in the civil litigation process, the ethical considerations and skills needed by litigation paralegals. |
3 |
| PARA3001 | Investigative Techniques and Evidence This course is an in-depth study of principles, methods, and investigative and interviewing techniques utilized to locate, gather, document and disseminate information. The emphasis will be on developing interviewing and investigative skills intended to prepare paralegals to communicate effectively and ethically. Students will also study the rules of Evidence as it relates to preparation of a case for trial including exhibits; the trial process, preparing witnesses for testimony; and motions to exclude evidence. |
3 |
| PARA4010 | Advanced Legal Research Students will build upon practical legal research and writing skills learned in Legal Research & Writing I & II. They will develop their ability toput into written form results derived from identification/analysis of legal documents, pleadings, memorandums of law or briefs. |
3 |
| PARA4020 | Advanced Paralegal Seminar This is an advanced paralegal course to challenge the student to integrate their knowledge of theoretical concepts and practical application of legal research, litigation, property, torts. contracts and business law through case analysis and the completion of writing assignments. |
3 |
Admission into the University of Cincinnati’s Certificate in Law & Paralegal Studies is based on meeting the requirement outlined below.
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s Degree (in any field of study) from a regionally accredited university
- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5
Transfers:
1. Accreditation of the former institution;
2. Comparability of the course, including evaluation of practical assignments;
3. Year the course was taken;
4. Assurance that the student will have at least 9 semester credits of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction;
5. Documented proof that the grade received was a ‘C’ or above;
6. Transfer from schools that are not regionally accredited will not be allowed
Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
Standard Application Fees:
- $65.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $70.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- $20.00 for domestic applicants to Graduate Certificates
- $25.00 for international applicants to Graduate Certificates
- Application fees are waived for Summer 2026 applications submitted by March 1st, 2026
- Application fees are waived for Fall 2026 applications submitted by July 1st, 2026
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who:
- are currently serving in the US armed forces
- are veterans of the US armed forces
All applicants are required to upload unofficial transcripts during the application process, showing all undergraduate and graduate course work completed, including degrees granted and dates of conferral.
Official transcripts are not required until the student has received and accepted an offer of admission from the university. Once the offer has been confirmed, the student must submit official transcripts.
Students who have received degrees from the University of Cincinnati do not need to submit official paper copies of their UC transcripts.
Transcripts can be submitted electronically or by mail. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly. Then, mail your sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
Please mail sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
Our fully-online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Law & Paralegal Studies program is designed for students seeking practical skills for expanding careers. For the convenience of our online students, we offer flexible scheduling and multiple (3) start dates per year. All paralegal studies classes are taught by practicing attorneys. Graduate with your Law & Paralegal Studies Certificate in just two semesters.
An Enrollment Services Advisor is available to guide you through the application process and answer any questions you might have. The real-world focused faculty at UC is relevant, inspiring, attentive, supportive, and connected!
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
Summer 2026 Fall 2026 |
March 15, 2026 July 15, 2026 |
May 11, 2026 August 24, 2026 |
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program. On average, students will accrue fewer fees than students attending on-campus classes.
The one fee applied across all UC Online programs is the distance learning fee. Students living outside the state of Ohio must also pay an additional “non-resident” fee to enroll in courses at UC Online. This fee is lower than the out-of-state fee for traditional on-campus programs.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
- The University of Cincinnati is a premiere research institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. For nearly 20 years, UC has delivered programs online and currently has several dozen distance learning programs serving nearly 6,000 students. The University of Cincinnati and all of its regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- American Bar Association-approved
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
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We offer over 130 degrees from undergraduate to doctoral programs. Each program is supported by a team of Enrollment Services Advisors (ESAs) who are here to help answer any questions you have.