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Certificate in

Paralegal Studies


Build your credentials with a flexible, highly regarded program that empowers you with the educational foundation necessary for a successful career as a paralegal.

 
 

Paralegal Studies 40th Anniversary logo

ABA-Approved Education that Moves You Forward

Distinguish yourself by earning your certificate from one of the first American Bar Association (ABA) approved programs in the East Bay and increase your earning potential by opening the doors to some of the most prestigious law firms in the San Francisco Bay area. Since its inception in 1980, the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program has earned high marks and qualified aspiring paralegals like you for positions at some of the most sought after practices.


ABA Logo


American Bar Association (ABA) Approved

Member, American Association for Paralegal Education

Member, National Association of Legal Assistants

Member, San Francisco Paralegal Association

Approved California State Bar Provider of MCLE courses (MCLE provider #10897)



An ABA approved program that opens doors.

Gain the knowledge and training you’ll need to excel as a paralegal

Learn how to investigate and prepare cases for trial, draft legal documents, interview clients, and conduct legal research expertly while receiving hands-on instruction and practical assignments from legal experts and practicing attorneys.


Without a doubt the paralegal program helped my career.  It made the difference in landing my first paralegal job.  Being certificated increased my value to the firm, and substantially increased my salary.



Emil ForsbladParalegal Studies Graduate

Personalized Education

At Cal State East Bay, you’ll experience maximum convenience and flexibility with both asynchronous and synchronous online courses. You'll enjoy a personal, student-centered learning experience and benefit from the small class sizes, personal attention from faculty and staff, career assistance, and internship opportunities only East Bay has to offer you.

Video

Charles Jackson, a social justice advocate and former refugee from Liberia, embarks on a new phase in his life helping other African immigrants navigate complicated US residency laws.


Paralegals cannot provide legal advice, except as directed by an attorney, nor can they establish a client/business relationship or represent a client in court.


FInd out more about the career options that await you. »

Stand Out in a Time of Growing Demand

Paralegals and legal assistants are found in all types of organizations. As a graduate from an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal program, you will have the experience and skills needed to succeed in the field, whether in law offices, corporations, government agencies, or other organizations.


As a paralegal, you will be involved in sophisticated legal work and aid in a variety of tasks to support lawyers, including maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, drafting documents, and preparing for hearings, trials and corporate meetings.

Occupational Trends


Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 21.2 percent from 2022 to 2032 in California and 16.8 percent in the United States.

Labor Market Analytics – Lightcast


The annual mean wage for paralegals and legal assistants in the San Francisco Bay Area was $79,210 in 2023.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics


Paralegals and legal assistants held about 354,300 jobs in 2022.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics


In 2023, California held the highest employment level for paralegals and legal assistants.

Labor Market Analytics – Lightcast



Paralegals cannot provide legal advice, except as directed by an attorney, nor can they establish a client/business relationship or represent a client in court.


How can a certificate in paralegal studies impact your career? Find out directly from CSUEB graduates. »

A Reputation that Will Stand by You

Held in high regard by legal professionals, Cal State East Bay graduates have become accomplished paralegals at some of the most prestigious law firms in the San Francisco Bay Area.


Past graduates have secured legal jobs with organizations including the Santa Clara County Public Defender Office, Pixar Animation Studios, Intuit Inc., and Wendel, Rosen, Black and Dean LLP.


Get Ahead in Your Career

As a student in the program, you will have access to career assistance in several ways:

Career Counseling

Take advantage of an experienced paralegal career counselor and quarterly career workshops, which assist you with resume writing and developing your interview skills.

Exclusive Jobs

Browse unique paralegal job opportunities available exclusively to students and graduates of the East Bay Paralegal Studies Program, which provides employment opportunities in settings from law firms to federal courts.

Legal Association Membership

Foster relationships with local legal associations, including a complimentary student membership to the San Francisco Paralegal Association.


And if you choose to continue your education as a legal professional, graduating from the Cal State East Bay Paralegal Studies Certificate Program qualifies you for a 50% discount when taking additional paralegal courses.


Program Objectives

As a graduate of the program, you will acquire:

The educational foundation necessary for a successful career working in a variety of organizations as a paralegal.


The educational requirements for paralegals set forth by the State of California Business and Professions Code section 6450 et seq.


An understanding of the structure of the state and federal court systems.


Sharpened skills in problem solving, analytical thinking, and professional legal research and writing.


An understanding of civil lawsuits and the skills and confidence necessary to assist in the discovery and preparation of related legal documents.


Assistance in securing employment in the paralegal field and fostering involvement in paralegal professional associations.


The knowledge and confidence necessary to meet the highest professional and ethical standards.


Thanks to this program and its professors, I understand how to draft memoranda and briefs professionally, be efficient on legal research, and know how best to serve a client.

Jason PfisterParalegal Studies Graduate


My Paralegal certificate and knowledge gave me a great advantage looking for a job in the legal field. The training I received through the program allowed me to jump right into my job with little training from my employer.

Daisy LlanosParalegal Studies Graduate


Everything I learned in my classes has helped me be a functional paralegal in my new firm. I was stuck at a dead-end retail job before completing the program at East Bay and now my quality of life has improved exponentially. Not only am I already making more money than I was, but there are endless opportunities for advancement within my position.

Stephanie SpearmanParalegal Studies Graduate


Paralegals cannot provide legal advice, except as directed by an attorney, nor can they establish a client/business relationship or represent a client in court.


Explore job opportunities available exclusively to CSUEB Paralegal graduates. »

Opportunities Available Exclusively To You

Cal State East Bay is committed to helping you find the perfect job to fit your personal and professional needs. That’s why this job board was created exclusively for current students and graduates of the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program.

Certificate Requirements

To earn your Certificate in Paralegal Studies, simply complete 12 courses:

  • Ten required courses
  • One elective course
  • Internship

Please note, a “C” grade or better is required for a class to count toward your certificate.

Writing Proficiency Requirement
The ABA requires students to demonstrate writing proficiency at the college level. To comply with this requirement, students who have not received a Bachelor's or Master's degree from a U.S. or Canadian college/university or who have otherwise not met the UWSR (University Writing Skills Requirement) need to complete the Writing Proficiency Declaration Form during their final session in the Paralegal Studies program. Students will need to submit this form for review to the Paralegal Studies Program Director, along with three writing samples from assignments completed during the Paralegal Studies program. Submissions will be accepted after the start of the student's final session in the program and no later than 30 days after the end date of the student's final session in the program.

Program Format

Courses are delivered online, making them fit to your busy lifestyle. Evening courses with remote learning options are available year-round.

The Paralegal Studies Certificate program, pursuant to ABA requirements, offers two types of online courses: 1) asynchronous; and 2) synchronous. Students must complete a minimum of 9 units (3-4 courses) in the online synchronous format.

Online asynchronous means that the course meets for 8 weeks without any scheduled class meeting days/times. Quizzes and assignments will still be due on specific dates.

Online synchronous means that the course will meet for 8 weeks with live required class meetings (via Zoom) taking place once a week for 8 weeks from 6-9:45 pm.

Textbooks

The majority of courses do have required textbooks. For your purchasing convenience, you can view and download the complete list of textbooks at any time.

Required Courses

Required Courses
Units
Fall
Spring
Summer
EXTX 150: Introduction to Paralegalism 0.6  X X
POSC 801: Legal Research & Writing I
3
X
X
POSC 802: Legal Research & Writing II
3
X
X
POSC 803: Introduction to Law
3
X
X
POSC 804: Litigation I
3
X
X
POSC 805: Litigation II
3
X
X
POSC 807: Personal Injury and Tort Litigation
3
X
X
POSC 808: Contract Law
3
X
X
POSC 809: Computer Applications for Paralegals†
3
X
X
POSC 810: Ethics and Professional Responsibility
3
X
X
POSC 811: Paralegal Internship
2
X
X
X

†Students who demonstrate proficiency in all of the legal software that is taught in this class may, with the program director's consent, substitute another course from the electives offered.

Elective Courses

Elective courses
Units
Fall
Spring
Summer
POSC 812: Corporate Law
3
X
POSC 814: Family Law
3
X
POSC 815: Criminal Law
3
X
POSC 816: Interviewing and Investigating
3
X
POSC 817: Wills & Trusts
3
X
POSC 818: Immigration Law
3
X
POSC 819: Intellectual Property
3
X
POSC 820: Employment Law
3
X
POSC 821: Evidence for Paralegals
3
X
POSC 822: E-Discovery, Advanced Legal Research & Motion Writing
3
X
X

Please note: the list of elective courses above is tentative and subject to change.

Course Sequence

Students can begin the Paralegal Studies program in January or in August. If you follow the course sequence, the program can be completed in 12 months. Students may move through the program at a slower pace as long as the program is completed within three years from the initial start date. 

All students seeking the Paralegal Studies Certificate must complete one elective course during their time in the program.

Required Coursework – Fall Cohort (August start)

Fall Semester, Session I (Weeks 1-8)
EXTX 150: Introduction to Paralegalism
POSC 803: Introduction to Law
POSC 801: Legal Research and Writing I
Fall Semester, Session II (Weeks 9-16)
POSC 804: Litigation I
POSC 802: Legal Research and Writing II
Spring Semester, Session I (Weeks 1-8)
POSC 805: Litigation II
POSC 808: Contract Law
Spring Semester, Session II (Weeks 9-16)
POSC 807: Personal Injury and Tort Litigation
POSC 809: Computer Applications for Paralegals
Summer Session (8 weeks)
POSC 811: Paralegal Internship
POSC 810: Ethics and Professional Responsibility for Paralegals*

Required Coursework – Spring Cohort (January start)

Spring Semester, Session I (Weeks 1-8)
EXTX 150: Introduction to Paralegalism
POSC 803: Introduction to Law
POSC 801: Legal Research and Writing I
Spring Semester, Session II (Weeks 9-16)
POSC 804: Litigation I
POSC 802: Legal Research and Writing II
Summer Session (8 weeks)
POSC 805: Litigation II
POSC 808: Contract Law
Fall Semester, Session I (Weeks 1-8)
POSC 807: Personal Injury and Tort Litigation
POSC 809: Computer Applications for Paralegals
Fall Semester, Session II (Weeks 9-16)
POSC 811: Paralegal Internship
POSC 810: Ethics and Professional Responsibility for Paralegals*

**POSC 810 Paralegal Ethics & Professional Responsibility may be taken at any time after completion of POSC 801

Internship Requirement

All students are required to enroll in POSC 811 - Paralegal Internship and complete a 120-hour internship while being enrolled in that course. For more information, click here.

Credit Transfer

It is possible to transfer credit for two paralegal program classes from other ABA-approved Paralegal Programs. Please note that transferred courses must have been completed within the past five years.


Paralegals cannot provide legal advice, except as directed by an attorney, nor can they establish a client/business relationship or represent a client in court.


Who will you be learning from? Meet your professors. »

Featured Faculty

Jacob Blea

JD

It is not the function of the teacher to cover the material, it is their duty to uncover it.

The Honorable Jacob Blea III is a Superior Court Judge in Alameda County.  He is a former Presiding Judge of Family Law and is currently the Supervising Judge of the Pleasanton Court. Judge Blea maintained an extensive Civil Litigation, Family Law, and general law practice before his appointment to the bench in 1998.

Judge Blea is also a past president of the Alameda County Bar Association. Judge Blea has been a member of CSUEB’s Paralegal Studies faculty since 1986 teaching Civil Litigation, Introduction to Law, and Family Law. He is a graduate of CSUEB, where he also received his teaching credential He received his JD from UC Berkeley School of Law-Boalt Hall.

Dwight Dickerson

JD, Program Director

What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.

Dwight Dickerson, Esq., sincerely believes as professionals that we have a duty to bring along the next generation of professionals. The joy of teaching is to inspire students to move forward with the desire of learning and doing and not be afraid to take risks. Life is not about the ultimate destination but the journey getting there and what we experience and learn along the way.

Dickerson is the Director of the Paralegal Studies Program at California State University, East Bay and a former member of the ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals Approval Commission and an active member of and presenter for The American Association for Paralegal Education.

He has been a member of the faculty of the CSUEB Paralegal Studies Program since 1991, and is an instructor of Contract Law and Nonprofit Law. Dickerson graduated from Brandeis University with honors majoring in American & Urban Studies and received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. He has been an active member of the State Bar of California since December 1977, specializing in real estate, consumer, business, and non-profit law related matters.

Jeff Feinberg

JD

Jeff D. Feinberg, Esq., is a solo practitioner teaching Civil Litigation in the Paralegal Studies Program at California State University, East Bay.  Before starting his own practice, Feinberg was senior counsel at Toschi, Sidran, Collins & Doyle, where he specializes in first and third party auto liability, personal injury, premises liability, and subrogation defense. He earned his BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of California, San Diego, and his J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law.

Michael Greathouse

JD

I use an interactive style with students in which legal questions and issues are resolved through the active participation of the class.

Michael Greathouse is a 1981 graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law. He has been a practicing attorney in the State of California since 1981. Greathouse has tried approximately 20 criminal and civil jury cases to completion in state and federal court. He has prepared and argued numerous motions in state and federal courts in real estate, personal injury, business, and employment cases. Greathouse is an experienced appellate attorney who has handled appeals in state and federal court. He has also worked as General Counsel for a nutritional and high technology map company.

Greathouse has been teaching on a part-time basis for the past nine years in CSUEB’s Paralegal Studies and Human Resource Management programs. He teaches Legal Research and Writing and Electronic Discovery in the Paralegal Studies program. He teaches Discrimination Law and Wage and Hour Practice in the Human Resource Management program. His teaching philosophy is teaching students practical skills that will help them succeed as paralegals. Students learn through direct participation, writing exercises, and visual presentations that teach the basics of research and writing.

Edward Lai

JD

In my trial experience, I have found that cases are often handled by lawyers who thought they knew everything and paralegals and secretaries who really did.

Edward M. Lai practices in the areas of employment and general liability defense, construction defect, and Americans with Disabilities defense. He also brings with him experience as an insurance claims representative at several national insurance carriers.

Lai has had overwhelmingly successful results in jury and bench trials in state and federal courts and arguing civil appeals before the California District Court of Appeal. He has represented building contractors, developers, small business owners, national corporations, and individuals alike in the defense of various general liability and business litigations.

Lai is also very active in the East Bay community. In addition to being an associate professor at Cal State East Bay, he is a Special Master for numerous Bay Area Counties and a commissioner with the City of Oakland Rent Board. Lai is secretary of the Board of Directors for the Alameda County Meals on Wheels, president of the Redwood Heights Neighborhood Association, and an oral board assessor for the Oakland Police.

Alexander Lubarsky

LLM

I enjoy bringing real world legal research problems directly from my law office into the classroom to allow the students an opportunity to tackle an actual 'live' legal matter. I am proud to say that on many occasions, my students have sharpened their legal skills while helping a client in need at the same time.

Alexander H. Lubarsky, LL.M., Esq. is a practicing litigator and a legal technology enthusiast. Upon graduating from law school, Lubarsky co-founded Community Legal Centers in East San Jose to provide low cost immigration, bankruptcy, family law, and criminal defense representation to low income immigrant communities. He also consults on litigation software solutions and e-discovery practices to corporate legal departments and law firms of all sizes.

Lubarsky has consistently been active in legal technology. In 2003, he was elected to the California State Bar Law Technology Executive Committee. He is a certified trainer/consultant in the four major litigation support applications: Catalyst CR , Summation, Concordance, and CaseMap. Lubarsky is EnCase Certified and spent several years as a Director for Guidance Software – the world’s leading computer forensic software manufacturer. Further, he has taught litigation support courses to students at various law schools and paralegal schools throughout California. He has remained a member of the paralegal education faculty at California State University, East Bay for over a decade. Lubarsky is a regular speaker on the topic of litigation support systems and electronic discovery as well as computer forensics. He has presented at multiple legal technology conferences and State Bar events throughout the nation.

He has held past positions with Summation Legal Technologies, ZANTAZ Guidance Software, Catalyst Repository Systems, and TERIS. He assists small law firms and solo practitioners implement technology to allow them to compete ‘head-on’ with AMLAW 200 large law firms. He has authored various articles for legal technology publications such as the electronic discovery chapter of CEB’s Internet Law, Law Office Computing, and The Bottom Line. He is currently authoring the textbook Computer Applications for the Paralegal for Aspen Law and Business Publishers. Lubarsky has trained and consulted to hundreds of law firms, corporate legal departments, and government counsel offices.

Thomas Ogas

JD

I give context. Rules and procedures alone are confusing and forgettable. Paralegal students need to understand the big picture of what is going on and where their work fits in the grand scheme of litigation.

Thomas Ogas practices criminal and family law. He has been a criminal defense attorney for more than ten years. In that time, he has personally handled thousands of cases, from misdemeanors to juvenile offenses to serious felony matters, and tried more than 40 cases before a jury. Ogas’ success rate in trial is unusually high. He has won more than 60 percent of his cases, including winning cases where the potential punishment is life in prison. This is an outstanding success rate in the field of criminal law, a field where District Attorneys win 90 percent or more of their trials.

Ogas has served as Judge Pro Tem in the Small Claims and Traffic Division of the Alameda County Superior Court. He is an adjunct professor at Cal State East Bay's Paralegal Studies Program where he teaches Criminal Law. He has previously taught a course in Investigation for Paralegals.

In 2010, Ogas was the recipient of the Alameda County Bar Association Barristers Distinguished Service Award. He has served on the Alameda County Bar Association Board of Directors and chair of the Barristers Executive Committee. He is past president of Cherry City Toastmasters in San Leandro, overseeing a club that received the President’s Distinguished Award (the highest possible award for excellence) during both years of his term.

Ogas volunteers his time by providing free legal services to the San Leandro community through the Lawyers in the Library program that he started. The program provides monthly pro bono clinics to the community on all legal matters.

He also volunteers in the annual High School Mock Trial competitions where he serves as a scorer and presider. For six years, he previously coached his own High School Mock Trial team, the team from his home town of Exeter, California.

Ogas earned his J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law and his BA in Communications from Pepperdine University.

Geoffrey Steele

JD

As an experienced trial advocate, Geoffrey Steele spends a great deal of his time representing his clients in courts around the Bay Area and in Southern California. He has served on or chaired many Bar Sections for the Contra Costa Bar Association including the Litigation Section, the Corporate and In-House Counsel section, and the Pro Bono Section as well as being the President of The Law Center a non-profit organization providing pro bono legal services to the working poor which also runs programs for the Contra Costa Courts and assists elders with legal issues including Elder Financial Abuse. Starting off his career as a New York Actor in the early 70s attending the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Geoffrey moved westward after attending his sister’s wedding in San Diego and falling in love with California. He moved to Northern California where he went to law school and has been with firms as diverse as McKenna & Cuneo; Brobeck Phleger & Harrison; Morgan Miller & Blair; and was the founding member of Nevin Ramos & Steele, and Steele, George, Schofield & Ramos among others. Geoffrey has appeared before the California Courts of Appeal and the Federal District Courts and Federal Courts of Appeal. He is now a solo practitioner in Contra Costa County as well as of Counsel to Gizzi Reep Foley in Solano County.

Carol Thornberry

Senior Paralegal

The Introduction to Paralegalism gives me the opportunity to meet all the incoming paralegal students as they being a new career path. Then, I see them at the end of the program in the Internship class. It is always rewarding for me to see the growth, confidence and skill development they have gained over the past 15 months.

Carol Thornberry is a paralegal and the coordinator of the Paralegal Internship classes for the Paralegal Studies program. She also teaches the Introduction to Paralegalism class. Thornberry currently works as a real estate paralegal in a land development business. She is also a licensed realtor. Thornberry previously worked for the law firm of Burnham and Brown. Thornberry earned her Paralegal Certificate from California State University, East Bay in 1993.

Stuart West

JD

My philosophy of teaching is based on the concept that when a student graduates they should be able to perform the tasks that will be expected of them in the real world. Accordingly, I endeavor to make my in-class instruction and take-home assignments as practical as possible to ensure that students are well-prepared for their future careers.

Stuart West is a registered patent attorney with extensive domestic and international experience in all areas of Intellectual Property Law. West holds undergraduate and advanced degrees in electrical and structural engineering, and he is a fully-qualified and licensed solicitor and registered European attorney who speaks fluent German and French. West is also a registered professional engineer, general and engineering contractor, and real estate broker. He is licensed to practice law in California, Washington D.C. and before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Northern and Central Districts of California, the Central District of Illinois, and the Northern District of Florida. West is also a fully-qualified member of Mensa®.

West earned his J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law.

Kai Williamson

MS

Kai Williamson, MEd, has been a paraprofessional for 31 years. She spent the first seven years of her career in a law firm working in various specialty areas including litigation, family law, corporate finance, and real estate. She then transitioned to in-house positions working for various Fortune 500 companies. Williamson currently works for Alorica Inc. as a senior international corporate paralegal and director of global corporate governance.

As the current president of the Orange County Paralegal Association, Williamson oversees the strategic direction and operations of a nonprofit organization that serves more than 600 paralegals in the region. She’s also a NALA and an ABA paralegal member, demonstrating her commitment to the profession's highest standards.

With over 31 years of experience as a paralegal and 17 years as an educator, Williamson has developed expertise in corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, legal compliance, and legal document preparation. She has handled international corporate governance for leading companies such as Alorica and Western Digital, managing global entity databases and trademark portfolios. She has also taught courses in corporate law, business law, introduction to law, and legal career skills at UC Irvine, Santa Ana College, and Cal State East Bay.

Lastly, Williamson has received multiple awards for her teaching excellence and service to the paralegal community.

 
 Swipe left or right for the next/previous instructor
Jacob Blea

Jacob BleaJD

Dwight Dickerson

Dwight DickersonJD, Program Director

Jeff Feinberg

Jeff FeinbergJD

Michael Greathouse

Michael GreathouseJD

Edward Lai

Edward LaiJD

Alexander Lubarsky

Alexander LubarskyLLM

Thomas Ogas

Thomas OgasJD

Geoffrey Steele

Geoffrey SteeleJD

Carol Thornberry

Carol ThornberrySenior Paralegal

Stuart West

Stuart WestJD

Kai Williamson

Kai WilliamsonMS

Admission Requirements

New students are admitted to the program twice a year, in fall semester (August start) or spring semester (January start).

To be admitted to the program, you must have 80 quarter units or 53 semester units of college credits. Of the 80 quarter/53 semester units, at least 27 quarter/18 semester units must be in at least 3 different areas of Liberal Arts (General Studies).

How to Apply

To apply to the program, please complete the certificate application below, as well as submit the following document(s):

  • Official transcript(s)*

*Please note: if you studied at Cal State East Bay, you do not need to provide an official transcript.

If you are an international student/applicant:

Submit an International Certificate Program Application at least 10 weeks prior to the first day of class.


Pay a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $150 when you file your application.


You may obtain a visa for this program. Please read the Certificate Program Application Requirements for International Students or contact the Global Academy Office for more information.

Common Questions

What other legal studies programs does Cal State East Bay Continuing Education offer?
In addition to the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program, Cal State East Bay Continuing Education offers MCLE classes that fulfill the required minimum continuing legal education of legal professionals.
Is the Cal State East Bay Paralegal Studies Certificate Program approved by the American Bar Association?
Yes. The Paralegal Studies Certificate Program has been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) since 1994. To find out more about the ABA approval process and to find a list of ABA approved programs, visit the ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals website.
What is the California law regarding paralegals?
The State of California adopted legislation—Business and Professions Code section 6450 et seq.—that defines the titles paralegal and legal assistant, and sets educational criteria and continuing education requirements. Cal State East Bay's Paralegal Studies Certificate Program meets the education requirements of the California law because we are an accredited institution and the program consists of more than 24 semester units of paralegal course work. Cal State East Bay offers continuing legal education to meet the continuing education requirements established by the law. For a complete text of the Business and Professions Code section 6450, visit www.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
Are paralegals in California required to be certified?
California paralegals are not required to be certified. However, paralegals may choose to become certified by taking the Certified Legal Assistant Exam offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants or the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. Candidates for these exams must meet certain prerequisites before they are eligible to take the exams.
Are there any special scholarships available for students studying to be paralegals?
The National Federation of Paralegal Association, the San Francisco Paralegal Association, and the Mount Diablo Legal Professional Association may offer scholarships for paralegal students.
Where can I find information about the paralegal profession?

There are two national organizations for paralegals: the National Association of Legal Assistants and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. Both organizations have extensive information about the paralegal profession on their websites.

The local paralegal associations in California are the San Francisco Paralegal Association, the Mount Diablo Legal Professional Association, and the The California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA). The websites of these organizations have information about activities and events for paralegals in California.

I am interested in attending law school. Where can I find out more information about law schools?
The American Bar Association website contains helpful information for students considering law schools, including a complete list of ABA-approved law schools.
Where can I find out more information about the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)?
The LSAT is administered by the Law School Admission Council. The LSAC  website includes a schedule of test dates as well as information on how to prepare for the LSAT.
What happens if I need to withdraw from a course?
Withdrawal and Refund Policies vary depending on the type of program in which you enroll and some Continuing Education programs have course-specific refund policies that supersede the refund policy. Please contact the Program Coordinator directly if you have any questions about the refund and drop policies or click here for more details.
Is this program offered online?
Yes. This program is offered in an online format with two types of online courses to choose from (asynchronous and synchronous). Students will not be required to come to campus.
How long is each course?
Courses are 3.5 hours each (meeting once a week for 8 weeks).
Is there any work to do outside class time? If so, how much?
There is reading and homework in each class. Students should plan for 2-3 hours of preparation time for each class meeting.
How long does it take to complete the program?
The program can be completed in 12 months.

Financing

Is financial aid available for this program?
Traditional Financial Aid (such as completing the FAFSA, Pell Grants, etc.) is not applicable for certificate programs, but there may be other suitable options to help you in financing your program. Learn more about other financial aid options.
What are the tuition costs for the program?
Tuition costs: $8,350; Tuition includes all computer lab fees and WestLaw access (Tuition fees are subject to change at any time.)
Are any discounts available for this program?
Yes, this program qualifies for the Forever Pioneer discount for Cal State East Bay alumni. You can complete and submit the Forever Pioneer Registration Form to receive the discounted pricing. Advanced registration is required to qualify for the discount.

Accessibility Services

Does the university provide accessibility services?
Yes, our Accessibility Services department provides academic accommodations and support services to address the individual needs of students with differing abilities, permanent disabilities or temporary disabling conditions. For more information, including program details and contact information, visit csueastbay.edu/accessibility.

Certificate of Completion

How do I request my certificate?
To obtain your official certificate, you must complete all requirements of your program and then complete and submit this form. Upon verification of requirement completion, your certificate will be sent to you.

Search Results

At Cal State East Bay, we pride ourselves on putting students first, from the moment you inquire until you graduate. We hope you've found answers to your questions in this support center, but if not, please get in touch.

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At a Glance

Area of study: Certificate in Paralegal Studies

Ideal for: Anyone interested in working with attorneys in all areas of civil and criminal law as a paralegal and who wish to meet the educational requirements dictated by California Law.

Current paralegals who seek to differentiate themselves with an ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Certificate.

Program format: Online

Number of courses: 12 courses (including required internship)

Program length: 12 months

Tuition costs: $8,350; Tuition includes all computer lab fees and WestLaw access (Tuition fees are subject to change at any time.) Forever Pioneer discount is available for Cal State East Bay alumni.

Questions?

Please let us know if we can answer any questions about the Paralegal Studies program. Many answers can also be found in our online Support Center.

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