Online Certified Paralegal Training

Jumpstart Your Legal Career

Gain the skills you need to enter the paralegal workforce and learn how to conduct legal research and legal interviews, how to perform legal analyses, and more.

This paralegal certification course includes the development of a professional portfolio of legal deliverables. Your portfolio will include a variety of memos, an analysis brief, a settlement brochure, a client intake report, and documentation of your research conducted using the Westlaw platform. You will learn how to refine your resume and LinkedIn profile to encompass your specialized skill set and showcase the impact you can make for your next employer.

Upon completion of this paralegal training program, you will be prepared to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) upon eligibility. Please review the exam requirements prior to registering for this course. Through a partnership with NALA, you will also receive membership and access to NALA's Certified Paralegal (CP) Exam Review courses—should you choose to take the NALA CP exam.

This paralegal course offers enrollment with or without a voucher. The voucher covers the cost to sit for the CP exam upon eligibility. Proctor fees may apply, which are not included.

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Job Outlook for Paralegals

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for paralegals and legal assistants was $61,010 in May 2024. According to Indeed, the average paralegal salary is $66,632 as of June 2026. While overall employment is projected to remain relatively stable through 2034, the field is expected to generate about 39,300 job openings each year on average, creating ongoing opportunities for qualified professionals entering the workforce.

The job outlook for paralegals remains promising because law firms, corporations, and government agencies continue to rely on these professionals to support legal operations efficiently and cost-effectively. With thousands of annual openings driven by retirements, career transitions, and workforce turnover, employers are expected to seek skilled paralegals who can conduct legal research, prepare documents, and help manage growing caseloads.

Paralegals FAQs

A paralegal is a legal support specialist who performs substantive legal tasks under the supervision of a licensed attorney. They help lawyers be more efficient by handling research, drafting documents, organizing case materials, communication tasks, and assisting with legal procedures. They help keep legal matters moving efficiently but cannot give legal advice or represent clients in court.

A legal secretary handles administrative tasks that keep a law office running, while a certified paralegal performs substantive legal work—research, drafting, analysis—under attorney supervision.

Yes, you will be prepared to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).

Course Objectives

Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the U.S. legal system, including court structures, legal terminology, and procedural processes
Conduct effective legal research using industry-standard tools, including Westlaw, and apply proper citation methods
Perform client and witness interviews using appropriate legal and ethical guidelines
Apply essential litigation communication skills, including drafting legal documents and professional correspondence
Exhibit workplace soft skills such as professionalism, time management, ethical conduct, and effective collaboration within a legal environment
Identify and apply core competencies required for success in the legal industry, including legal writing, document review, and case organization
Prepare for the Certified Paralegal (CP) certification exam offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)

Prerequisites and Certification Requirements

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, you will need a high school diploma or GED equivalent to start a career as a paralegal. It is also recommended that you have basic computer skills, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and fundamental keyboarding skills. A strong grasp of English grammar conventions, such as spelling, punctuation, and composition, is also recommended.

To meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the NALA Certified Paralegal exam, you must meet one of the following requirements: You must have 60 semester hours, of which at least 15 hours* (225 clock hours) are from paralegal studies or hold an associate's degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in any field, or have five years of experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a member of the Bar. Please review the exam requirements before enrolling in this course.

*Note: (15 semester hours = 225 clock hours) - This course is 225 hours and can be combined with 45 semester hours to meet the 60 semester hours required in option 1(e). If you do not have 45 semester hours, you will need to meet eligibility with category 2 or 3)

Certification Requirements:

If you plan to pursue the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal (CP) credential, you must meet one of the NALA Certification Eligibility Requirements. We recommend determining eligibility before enrolling in this course. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, this Legal Secretary course will prepare you for an entry-level legal career that can build up to the paralegal role.

NALA Certification Eligibility Requirements

You must meet one of the following requirements outlined in Categories 1, 2, or 3 at the time of filing an application form to be eligible for the CP certification exam through NALA.

Graduation from or completion of a paralegal program:

(a) approved by the American Bar Association; or
(b) an associate degree program in paralegal studies; or
(c) a post-baccalaureate certificate program in paralegal studies; or
(In addition to the official school transcript, a candidate must submit an original course catalog or an original letter from the school registrar or program director attesting that the program is a post-baccalaureate certificate program requiring a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite.)
(d) a bachelor's degree program in paralegal studies; or
(e) a paralegal program that consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of which at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) are substantive legal courses.

(Candidates applying under Category 1(e) may combine college hours from more than one institution. The candidate must have graduated from a paralegal program consisting of a minimum of 15 semester hours (or 225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours). Evidence of the minimum hours required under Category 1(e) must be provided with the application form.)

A bachelor's degree in any field plus one year of experience as a paralegal or successful completion of at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of substantive paralegal courses.

(Those applying under the provision allowing for additional coursework in lieu of the one-year work experience must submit an official school transcript showing completed coursework.)

A high school diploma or equivalent, plus five (5) years of experience as a paralegal, plus a minimum of twenty (20) hours of substantive continuing legal education completed within the two-year period prior to application for the examination. Evidence of substantive continuing legal education credit is documented by the supervising attorney/employer attestation that must be signed as part of the application form or by submitting certificates of completions for CLE taken. No further documentation is required.

Candidates applying under Category 3 may combine on-the-job experience from more than one employer, as applicable. Evidence of continuing legal education credit is documented by the attorney/employer attestation that must be signed as part of the application form or by submitting certificate of completions of CLE taken. No further documentation is required.

Instructors

Casey Thompson is a licensed attorney in Texas. Before he started teaching, his major areas of practice were business and corporate law, entertainment law, and intellectual property rights. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and holds a law degree from the Texas A&M School of Law. Along with his online paralegal courses, Thompson also teaches in the areas of state and federal government at the college level.

Trina Brown is an accomplished paralegal with over three decades of experience in the field. Since 2013, she has also been providing education to aspiring paralegals. In addition to her educational role, Trina serves as a court-appointed mediator for the Dallas and Tarrant County courthouses and is a mediation panelist for the Texas Department of Insurance.

Trina has made significant contributions to the legal community, including her work on the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Ethics Handbook and articles published in The Legal Educator magazine. Furthermore, she is a Certified Arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Her extensive qualifications have been recognized in the Texas Bar Journal, showcasing current mediation credential holders in the state.

Trina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in organizational dynamics from Immaculata University and a Master of Professional Studies in paralegal studies from The George Washington University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in mediation. Her commitment to service is further demonstrated by her membership in the Paralegal Division of the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas, an honor society chartered by the Supreme Court of Texas.

Registration and Enrollment

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