Online Post-Associate Certificate in Law & Paralegal Studies
University of Cincinnati’s online Post-Associate Certificate in Law & Paralegal Studies is useful for those who already have an associate degree in another field and are looking to enter or advance their competitive standing in the law and paralegal field. In just two semesters, the American Bar Association-approved program will prepare you for a variety of career opportunities in an ever-growing industry.
Please note: This is a post-associate certificate. An associate degree (in any field of study) from an accredited university is required for admission.
Post-Associate Law & Paralegal Studies Certificate Highlights
High Quality Education
- American Bar Association-approved
- All classes taught by licensed attorneys and practitioners
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.
Flexibility
- 100% online: no campus visits are required
- Start in the fall, spring, or summer semester
- Graduate in as little as one year
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your go-to resource during the application process
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
Admission into the University of Cincinnati’s online Post-Associate Certificate in Law & Paralegal Studies program 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
- Associate degree (in any field of study) from a regionally accredited university
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 for UC Online programs are waived through Fall 2026 for all applicants who apply by July 1, 2026
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who:
- Are currently serving in the US armed forces
- Are veterans of the US armed forces
You can find more information here. Applications are accepted continuously throughout the year. Please review and submit the following materials:
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.
For questions regarding international students, contact an Enrollment Services Advisor.
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
The online Post-Associate Certificate in Law & Paralegal Studies program is designed for students seeking practical skills for expanding careers. For the convenience of our students, we offer flexible scheduling and multiple (6) start dates per year.
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 are experienced, 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 | First Half Summer 2026 | Second Half Fall 2026 | First Half |
March 15, 2026 April 1, 2026 July 15, 2026 |
May 11, 2026 June 25, 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.
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We offer over 130 degrees from undergraduate to doctoral programs.