Continuing and Professional Education

Over the next decade, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 40,000 essential paralegal positions will open each year. Whether you’re preparing to jump into one of these openings or just looking to take your expertise to the next level, our online, fast track Paralegal Certificate Program can provide the foundational training, expert mentorship, and resume-boosting credentials you need to confidently step into a new career.

As the legal field evolves, so does the demand for skilled paralegals. From document review to communicating with clients and taking deposition notes, paralegals perform a wide range of tasks to support the legal industry. Without the invaluable work of paralegals, attorneys simply wouldn’t be able to keep up with the heavy demands of their caseload.

“You can be a very integral part of a law firm as a paralegal. Attorneys will rely on you as their right arm,” says Joanna Suyes. And she would know. Suyes spent 17 years as a paralegal and now owns her own law firm in the Greater Richmond region. As the instructor for Fundamentals of Civil Litigation & Torts for Paralegals, she shares her expertise with the next generation.

The program includes six courses, each covering a different aspect of the legal profession and taught by practicing attorneys. “My favorite part of the program was that every class was interactive in some form. The professors wanted the students to be involved,” says Emily Newsom, a recent graduate of the program. In securing and preparing for her first paralegal job, “a paralegal certificate definitely helped me.”

The Paralegal Certificate Program teaches students the baseline knowledge needed to succeed in a paralegal position. While many paralegal positions are entry-level, “without the certificate, I wouldn’t know a thing,” Newsom explains. “Having the background is really important.” And Suyes agrees, “At my old law firm, we hired several people out of the program and all of them did really well. [Students] come out of the VCU program well prepared.” Not only that, but achieving a paralegal certificate can show a level of dedication above the average applicant, raising your resume to the top of the stack.

A paralegal certificate comes with added benefits for anyone considering law school. While showing your dedication to the field can help your application stand out, it can also make your time in law school easier. “It gives you a leg up on your classmates who don’t have any experience with the law,” according to Suyes. “My first year of law school was easier for me than some of my classmates because I had [paralegal] experience.” Before making the time and monetary investment into law school, a paralegal certificate program can help you try out the legal field.

The Paralegal Certificate Program is offered twice a year and upon successful completion, participants earn a digital badge as recognition of their achievement. Learn more at ocpe.vcu.edu/paralegal