Legal and Paralegal

Paralegal Certificate

With the University of South Florida's Paralegal Certificate program, you can start (or advance) a rewarding, lucrative career in the legal field — and do it fast.

Designed for paralegals by paralegals, attorneys and judges across the country, our hands-on program focuses on the real-world skill sets in demand by law firms, legal divisions, attorneys, corporations and government agencies.

Learn why this program is ideal for you from Richard B. Herman, Esq., one of the leading defense attorneys in the United States and a CNN contributor.

Curriculum & Course Details

The USF Paralegal Certificate is designed for those aspiring toward a career in the legal field, as well as current paralegals who desire further knowledge and credentials. It includes essentials track that has three subcategories: Torts, Contracts, and Procedures.

USF’s flexible program options mean students go at their own pace. You will be immersed in legal processes, court structure, interviewing, investigation, document preparation, file maintenance, correspondence, research, writing and analysis, as well as substantive topics of law, such as torts, contracts, and civil procedure – all taught by an esteemed faculty of Judges. Students are trained in online legal research with an individual subscription to Lexis. Additional resources include customized texts and dynamic interactive online support tools, such as practice exercise questions, lecture notes, quizzes, writing labs, mock exams and more.

The USF Paralegal Certificate curriculum now also breaks new ground by integrating paralegal training with cutting-edge AI skills, preparing students for evolving law office environments where technology plays a pivotal role. You will develop traditional paralegal skills while incorporating AI tools that enhance productivity and accuracy in legal tasks.

You will graduate with an official USF certificate backed by a major research university, as well as a digital badge that you can display on LinkedIn and other social media profiles, highlighting your achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose USF's Paralegal Certificate?

• Learn from a distinguished faculty of sitting judges.
• Earn a sought-after credential backed by a major research university.
• Showcase your skills and stand apart from colleagues and competitors with a USF digital badge for your social media profiles, including LinkedIn.
• Register on an open-enrollment basis — no application required.

What is the Program pass rate?

Our goal is for students to succeed, but at the same time, we have to protect the integrity of the Program. Those students who actively utilize all materials and regularly study, read, write and research will do well. You get out of the Program what you put into it. Students who do not successfully complete the Program are those who are not regularly working the materials or who have an outside issue impeding their progress.

Can I finish the Paralegal Program in less than six months?

Of course. You must take your own schedule and commitments into consideration in fashioning your study schedule. As long as you are working through all tools available to you, and you don’t sacrifice understanding for speed, the Program can be finished sooner than six months.

Are there any in-person meetings?

We hold Zoom Office Hours with your Instructor approximately once per month.

How often is this course offered?

The USF Paralegal Certificate start dates are generally January, May, and September.

What are my job prospects upon graduation, and do you provide job placement?

The outlook for qualified Paralegal professionals is very good with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating 38,000 new paralegal job openings per year between 2022 and 2032. The USF program was designed by Judges, attorneys and paralegals, who are well experienced in what it takes to ‘hit the ground running’ as a Paralegal. Upon successful completion, you will have a case study portfolio of working documents. Many legal employers reach out to us for qualified graduates, and we post these job offerings on your student portal. You will also receive many resources for job seeking as a part of the program.

Can I use my Paralegal Certificate in another state?

Yes. As it is an educational certification, you may be a paralegal anywhere. Although you will specifically learn Florida Procedures, you will also learn the “transferrable” skills required to adapt to the procedural rules of any state.

Will completion of the USF Paralegal Program help if I would like to go to law school?

YES! Tort Law, Contract Law, Procedures, Legal Writing and Research are all first-year law school classes. It is an incredible base for law school and introduction to the law.

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Student Testimonial

Discover why Kristen Marie Bubis chose to earn the USF Paralegal Certificate, the skills she gained and how it’s helped her advance in her career.