Working with attorneys or under permission granted by statutes, paralegals fill a vital role in the legal community. The American Bar Association has recognized the position of paralegal as an important factor in helping the legal profession meet the increasing demand for legal services. Professional opportunities are many and varied:
Paralegals are professionals trained in the delivery of various legal services, and their functions include legal interviewing, legal research, drafting of legal documents, and law office administration.
For more than 25 years, the University of Delaware’s Paralegal Certificate has been preparing legal assistants and paralegals in the region to work in large and small private law firms; banks; business and commercial firms; community organizations; nonprofit corporations; and federal, local, and state agencies and courts.
The certificate’s various topics provide participants with the scope of practice and competencies useful in working with supervising attorneys who may specialize in a variety of legal fields and specialties: antitrust, bankruptcy, consumer protection, corporate and criminal law, domestic relations, insurance, defense, litigation, probate, real estate, and taxation. This certificate program develops participants’ skills and expertise in the legal research; students conduct legal research over the Internet using LexisNexis online. Faculty are experienced attorneys.
Basic computer knowledge and experience is required of all students (wordprocessing and e-mail). Students will need access to a computer (with a printer) that runs recent versions of wordprocessing software (such as Microsoft Word) and an Internet browser (such as Internet Explorer).
Students in the University of Delaware's Paralegal Certificate have free access to the LexisNexis© legal research system for the duration of the program.
Who should participate?This program will benefit you if you wish to enter the field of law and legal services, or change careers. You will also benefit if you have experience in the field of law, but wish to earn a valuable credential for advancement.
Requirements for completionTo earn the Paralegal Certificate, participants must complete all six program modules with a grade of “C” or above.
Time to completeThe Paralegal Certificate is comprised of six modules and can be completed in one year. Click here to view the current schedules.
