2023-2024 Catalog

Paralegal Studies Certificate

Paralegal Studies Certificate Requirements: 6 courses, 24 credits

Students should note that only the classes listed below may count toward the Certificate because of American Bar Association "legal specialty" requirements. Certificate students must achieve a GPA of at least 2.0 in their LAWU classes in order to receive a certificate.

Undergraduate Suffolk University students must apply to receive a Paralegal Certificate. Applications for the Paralegal Certificate must be completed during the first semester of the Senior year. The application may be completed online through Undergraduate Admissions. Suffolk University students may take courses toward the certificate prior to entry into the program. Please note that students who are enrolled in the Bachelor's Degree in Applied Legal Studies or Bachelor's Degree in Law programs are not eligible to receive the Paralegal Certificate.

It is strongly advised that students interested in the Paralegal Certificate see a Law program advisor as early as possible to plan accordingly.

Core Requirements (5 courses, 20 credits)

LAWU-101Ethics and Legal Practice Skills

4

LAWU-211Litigation

4

LAWU-221Law of Contracts

4

LAWU-301Legal Research and Writing I

4

LAWU-401Legal Research and Writing II

4

Elective (1 course, 4 credits)

Choose one of the following:

LAWU-270Technology and the Law

4

LAWU-280Domestic Violence, Abuse and Neglect

4

LAWU-330Real Estate Law

4

LAWU-335Torts: Personal Injury Law

4

LAWU-340Family Law

4

LAWU-355Corporate Law

4

LAWU-365Employment and Labor Law

4

LAWU-370Immigration Law

4

LAWU-375International Law

4

LAWU-410Advanced Litigation and Trial Practice

4

LAWU-521LAWU Legal Studies Internship

4

Notes:

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

  • Law majors and Law minors cannot apply to the Paralegal Studies Certificate program.

About the Paralegal Studies Certificate

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this certificate program.

View the Program Page

Paralegal Studies Certificate Learning Goals and Objectives

Learning goals and objectives reflect the educational outcomes achieved by students through the completion of this program. These transferable skills prepare Suffolk students for success in the workplace, in graduate school, and in their local and global communities.

Learning Goals

Learning Objectives

Students will...

Students will be able to...

Understand legal concepts

- Communicate effectively orally and in writing
- Use critical thinking skills
- Be effective legal researchers

Understand ethical behavior in the workplace

- Make ethical decisions in the workplace
- Appreciate the importance of professional ethics and demonstrate the understanding of the code of ethics which apply to attorneys as well as paralegals

 Understand legal analysis and research

 - Effectively use legal research tools, including technology
- Master new resources, including secondary authority, legislative histories, and administrative materials
- Understand legal analytic method

 Understand legal procedure and the role of the paralegal in the American legal system

 - Analyze the rules of precedent in substantive legal areas
- Apply legal principles to real life cases

About the Paralegal Studies Certificate

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this certificate program.

View the Program Page