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Enrollment and financing

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Upcoming programs

December 10, 2024
Tuesday, 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.

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January 6, 2025
Tuesday, 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.

Register now for January 6 Info Session >

Certificate in Paralegal Studies:

February 25, 2025 - August 2025
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m.
Registration Fee: $4,995
Where: Live Online

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"I wanted a career opportunity that involved something I was interested in.”

Martin Townes

Trying to determine if the VCU Paralegal Certificate is right for you? Our informational video may help.

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Enrolling in our paralegal certificate

Enrolling in the VCU Paralegal Certificate is simple. In order to enroll, you can submit a completed registration form and full form of payment through VCU Continuing and Professional Education's online registration system or complete the 5-part payment plan.

We strongly recommend that you register at least two weeks prior to the course start date to ensure your space in the program.

Program cost

The cost of the paralegal certificate program is $4,995. This cost includes all fees, access to ebooks for each class, access to the online learning systems and all course materials, including access to Lexis Nexis during the Legal Research & Writing portion of the program. There are no additional costs or fees. If you are looking for a paralegal program to increase your legal credibility, the VCU Paralegal Certificate is right for you. Ask about discounts for current VCU students, VCU program graduates, state employees, and active-duty military, reservists, Guard members, veterans, and military spouses. Coupon code must be used/applied at the time of enrollment, cannot be combined with other discounts/coupons or waivers, and will not be retroactively applied.

What is an incremental payment plan?

At VCU, we want to help you to succeed in the legal industry without putting a financial strain on your wallet. We have designed our registration cost to be all inclusive so that there are no additional or hidden fees. Our registration cost includes your ebooks, materials, access to Lexis Nexis, program fees, career preparation seminars, and your certificate of completion from VCU.

Our incremental payment plan provides you flexibility in the collection of your registration fee by segmenting the total program cost into smaller payments.

5-part payment plan

First Payment	$2,100	Due upon registration. This secures your spot in the program.
Second Payment	$ 723.75	Due 1 month after program start date
Third Payment	$ 723.75	Due 2 months after program start date
Fourth Payment	$ 723.75	Due 3 months after program start date
Fifth Payment	$ 723.75	Due 4 months after program start date

Prerequisites

The legal profession is competitive, especially in and around Richmond, Virginia or Washington, D.C. To ensure our graduates are qualified for employment after earning a paralegal certificate and prepared for the challenging education in this program, we require four years of professional work experience preferably in an office setting and/or a minimum of an associate’s degree (degree does not have to be in the legal field). Before enrolling in this certificate program, it is strongly encouraged that all students meet with the student adviser to ensure a full understanding of the rigor and requirements needed to be successful in this intensive six month certificate program.

It is also important that students in the Certificate in Paralegal Studies program have computer competency. Students are required to have basic computer and word processing skills, and will need high-speed internet access to participate in live online class meetings.

Completion requirements

All class assignments and exams will be administered using an online Learning Management System (LMS) and are expected to be turned in on time.
Students must earn a minimum of 70% in each course module.
Participants must achieve an overall score of 75% or higher in the program to earn the noncredit VCU Certificate in Paralegal Studies.

Financial assistance

As a noncredit certificate, the VCU paralegal program does not qualify for most federal assistance programs such as FAFSA or grant funding that only apply to credit programs leading to a degree or similar academic credential.

However, many financial institutions provide continuing education and/or private loans for certificate programs. We encourage you to check with your banking institution or a local credit union. We're also happy to provide guidance as you consider your options. If you have questions about financing options that might be available for you, please contact our office at (804) 828-1322 or ocpe@vcu.edu.

NOTE: If you plan to apply for a loan, begin your application early to allow adequate processing time.

Withdrawal/Refund policy

You may cancel your registration up to two weeks before the program start date, and receive a full refund minus a $100 credit card processing fee. After that date, no refunds will be given. Cancellations must be received via email at ocpe@vcu.edu. Participants may transfer to a future program within one year of your original program, based on availability, with no penalty. Participant substitutions will be accepted up to two business days before the start of the program.

Please note if enrolled in an incremental payment plan, full payment will be due if you choose to drop out of the program after the cancellation deadline.

In the unlikely event that this program is canceled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, the university will fully refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for any other expenses, including change or cancellation charges to include but not limited to airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or other organizations.