The Paralegal Certificate Program
Visit the course catalog for a list of the Paralegal Courses.
If you enjoy dealing with legal issues, you should consider a career as a legal assistant, or paralegal. The field has seen huge growth over the past 30 years, and it is expected to continue to be one of the fastest growing over the next 10 years.
Paralegals work with lawyers to conduct research; investigate facts; analyze, digest and draft documents; interview clients and witnesses. Most paralegals work in law offices, corporations and government agencies. To be effective, paralegals must be organized, analytical and good communicators. They must also enjoy research and writing. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
Specialized training is recommended for individuals who want to become Paralegals. According to the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, more than 80% of all paralegals have received some formal paralegal education. A bachelor's degree is highly recommended, including or supplemented by paralegal training. Marist's Paralegal Certificate is certified by the State of New York and approved by the American Bar Association.
Features:
Designed to ensure that you have a solid liberal arts foundation, plus the specialized knowledge you need to work as a paralegal.
- Students must complete 60 credits to earn the certificate, 24 of which are paralegal courses
- If you enter the program with 36 or more transferable credits, you only need to take the paralegal course series.
- Students must earn 2.5 minimum GPA in law related and specialty course work.
- You can enter the program with fewer credits, but will have to take additional electives to reach 60 total credits.
- Students with bachelor's degrees may use the certificate program to enhance their marketable skills.
Course Schedule:
Locations & Formats:
Offered at two locations with evening or weekend formats. Depending upon which location you are interested please contact the following:
| Location | Format | Contact |
| Poughkeepsie | Evenings | Patti Burns at 845-575-3800 |
| Fishkill | Weekend Cohort | Donna Tompkins at 845-897-9648 |
2012 - 2013 Tuition & Costs:
| Tuition | Book & Fees |
| $495.00 per credit (Weekend Program) | $850.00 Estimated |
| $575.00 per credits (Evening Program) | $890.00 estimated |
Gainful Employment and Financing Options
Financing options for the Paralegal Program:
Students participating in the paralegal program may be entitled to scholarship, PELL Grant, TAP Grant, Federal Stafford Loans. Students are only entitled to borrow loans from the Federal government at the Freshman level each year the FAFSA is filed if doing the Paralegal Certificate on a stand alone basis.
For the 2011-2012 award year, the median debt for program graduates was:
Federal Loans: $3,594.00
Private Educational Loans: $0.00
Institutional Financing: $0.00
For the 2010-2011 award year, the median debt for program graduates was:
- Federal Loans: $4,728.00
- Private Educational Loans: $0.00
- Institutional Financing: $0.00
Overall Institutional Loan Repayment Rate: 74%
How long will it take to complete this program?
The weekend concentrated schedule enables students the ability to complete the 24 paralegal credits and graduate in one year.
- 87.5% Projected Completion Rate for '11 - '12 (Award year is scheduled to end in February 2013)
- 79% Total Completion Rate for '10 - '11
- 92% Total Completion Rate for '09 - '10
- 85% Total Completion Rate for '08 - '09
- 87% Total Completion Rate for '07 - '08
- 88% Total Completion Rate for '06 - '07
- 79% Total Completion Rate for '05 - '06
U.S. Department of Labor Standard Occupational Code:
Paralegal and Legal Assistants: 23-2011.00
Opportunities:
- Gives you an edge in entering a highly competitive field
- Enhances your job opportunities if you are currently employed in the field
- Complements other concentrations in our B.A. / B.S. in Liberal Studies
This certificate offers students a college curriculum which is fully accredited by the American Bar Association. Students are eligible for the program with a Bachelor's degree or 36 transferable credits, the weekend-concentrated schedule enables you to complete the 24 undergraduate credits within one year. Interested? Request Information.
