Boston University is dedicated to its mission of providing accessible programs that encourage professional development and meet exacting standards of academic excellence. As part of that goal, BU is proud to offer the fully online Paralegal Certificate Program—a focused, convenient way to develop the skills necessary to excel and gain a certificate that gives you a competitive edge in your paralegal career search.
RegisterTo learn more about the online Paralegal Studies Program, contact an enrollment specialist at (857) 971-4728 or fill out the form below to download a free brochure.
Pairing academic rigor with the convenience of online learning, this online paralegal certificate program features a curriculum that’s both comprehensive and flexible. This non-credit certificate consists of modules that explore everything from the technology and tools used by paralegals in the field to the nuances of popular areas of law. The online paralegal certificate coursework offers aspiring paralegals the chance to develop the specific professional know-how that employers are seeking. Those already in the field can also benefit by learning new foundational legal knowledge and further developing their research and writing skills.
The online Paralegal Certificate Program offers a number of distinct benefits to its students, including:
The online Paralegal Certificate Program consists of seven, two-week modules that make up the fundamental coursework. The paralegal certificate can be earned in fourteen weeks upon the successful completion of these modules:
View full course descriptions on the curriculum page.
Become a Paralegal: Setting Yourself Up for Success in a High-demand Profession
Watch a recording of an in-depth presentation given by program director Joseph P. Spada exploring the many facets of becoming and working as a paralegal, including:
When you complete the paralegal studies certificate program, you’ll earn a digital credential from Boston University that demonstrates the depth and breadth of your paralegal knowledge.
This shareable badge is a verified symbol of your skills and can be displayed on LinkedIn, in your email signature, or across your digital portfolio to build credibility with peers, clients, and employers—while also highlighting your connection to Boston University’s prestigious Paralegal Studies program.
The course can be accessed at the time of day that suits each student best, and there are no scheduled lectures.
However, each two-week module contains assignments and assessments that must be submitted by stated deadlines in the course. Because of this, it is important that students keep up with the program. In other words, the program is a combination of synchronous and asynchronous deadlines. Each module has to be completed in the assigned two week time frame, but when you do the work in that two week period is up to your discretion.
To help students stay on track, faculty offer virtual office hours for each module. You can simply log in using the live classroom link, with no appointment needed.
Students find their way to our program from many different backgrounds. They come from fields such as business, finance, education, healthcare, real estate, and more. Some are recent graduates, while others are experienced professionals or career changers. What they share is a desire to gain legal expertise so they can advance in their current field or lay the foundation for a new career path.
Explore our Class Profile to see examples of roles and employers represented in the program.
The online Paralegal Studies Program is a nondegree program that awards a paralegal certificate from Boston University. It focuses on core paralegal knowledge and skills and does not confer academic credit toward a college degree.
Paralegal degrees, such as an associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, are academic degree programs. They include general education courses, require more credits, and usually take longer to complete, and are far more expensive.
A focused certificate program, like Boston University’s, may be appropriate for individuals who already hold a college degree and want focused paralegal training. Our paralegal careers page has more details about what professionals can do with a paralegal certificate.
Because individual goals and situations vary, we encourage you to call an enrollment specialist at (857) 971-4728 to discuss the best direction for you.
Paralegals typically handle more substantive legal work, such as performing legal research, drafting motions and pleadings, organizing discovery, and supporting attorneys as they prepare for hearings and trials. They perform this work under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Most importantly, paralegals bill clients for their time. That means that paralegals are revenue raisers for the firms in which they work. Legal Assistants do not bill for their work, do not raise revenue for the firm.
Legal assistants usually focus on administrative support, such as managing calendars, organizing files, handling client communications, and helping with basic legal tasks.
In many offices, especially smaller firms, these titles and job duties can overlap. Both roles benefit from a strong foundation in legal research, writing, and understanding court procedures.
To explore this topic in more depth, read our article “Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant: What’s the Difference?” on the Paralegal Careers page.
You will earn a paralegal certificate from Boston University when you successfully complete the program. This academic certificate confirms that you have met the University’s established requirements—and Boston University is internationally recognized for its high academic standards.
Paralegal certification is different. Certification is a professional designation awarded by an outside organization, separate from a university certificate, and may require additional testing and experience.
There is no industry-wide or governmental requirement that paralegals hold this type of third-party certification, and Boston University is not aware of any states that currently require it to work as a paralegal. If you do a google search, you may find that various national paralegal associations offer “certification”. They compete with each other. Again, the industry has not endorsed the need for these third party “certifications.”
Because requirements can vary, we encourage students to review expectations with potential employers and to check with their own state’s licensing or regulatory offices.
Joe Spada, director of the Paralegal Studies Program, answers this question in detail. Watch his explainer video to find out more.
Boston University has successfully been teaching a comprehensive program for more than 30 years, and ABA approval is not the accepted standard for paralegal certificates. ABA approval is primarily associated with schools of law, rather than paralegal programs.
We have found that most employers seeking to hire paralegals place more value on the reputation of Boston University and the Paralegal Studies Program than ABA approval, which is obtained for a fee. BU’s program curriculum focuses on building practical skill sets applicable on day one, rather than the theory and evolution behind the law.
For further information, visit the FAQ page.
