Philosophy & Government
Paralegal Studies Certificate
Earn a Lehigh Carbon Community College American Bar Association-approved paralegal certificate while at Kutztown
OFFERED AS:
LCCC Certificate
FORMAT:
In-Person
CREDITS REQUIRED:
30
The Paralegal Studies Certificate offers students the opportunity to earn an American Bar Association (ABA)-approved paralegal certificate through Lehigh Carbon Community College while completing their Kutztown University bachelor's degree. Designed exclusively for students currently enrolled in a Kutztown University baccalaureate program, this collaborative certificate combines academic study with practical legal training. Students gain the knowledge and professional skills needed to work in law firms, corporations, government agencies, real estate companies, financial institutions, and other legal and business environments.
The primary goal of the program is to educate students to become paralegals who perform effectively in a variety of legal settings and adapt to changes in the legal environment and law practice. The program prepares students for careers as paralegals working under the supervision of lawyers in either the public or private sectors, as well as striving to encourage and facilitate graduates to pursue advanced degrees. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to public except as permitted by law.
While any major at Kutztown can add the LCCC paralegal studies certificate, it is most popular with the following programs:
Why Add a Paralegal Certificate to Your Degree
Kutztown University’s partnership with Lehigh Carbon Community College offers students a unique, well-established pathway into the legal profession while they complete their bachelor’s degree. This exclusive collaboration has successfully prepared students for legal careers and law school opportunities since 1999.
Students benefit from the flexibility of combining their undergraduate studies with specialized paralegal education through LCCC’s ABA-approved paralegal program.
Benefits of the Program:
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Complete all coursework on Kutztown’s campus
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Broaden employment opportunities and strengthen preparation for law school
- Gain professional legal knowledge applicable across many industries
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Engage in embedded practical experiences
- Prepare for careers in both public and private legal sectors
Lehigh Carbon Community College’s Paralegal Studies Certificate program is approved by the American Bar Association.
The paralegal certificate program provided a strong foundation for the legal skills needed to succeed in the field. The faculty were knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely invested in helping students grow both academically and professionally. I left the program feeling well prepared for my career and would highly recommend it to anyone considering a future in the legal profession.
Erica Monte CarloParalegal Certificate Highlights
The LCCC paralegal studies certificate combines academic rigor, professional preparation, and practical skills development to create a strong foundation for future success in the legal field.
Students complete 21 credits of paralegal coursework through LCCC, along with nine qualifying transfer credits from their Kutztown University degree program, to satisfy the LCCC certificate requirements. The paralegal certificate program does not accept any paralegal courses as transfer credits from any other institutions.
The certificate program prepares students to work under the supervision of licensed attorneys while developing a strong understanding of ethical and professional responsibilities within the legal field.
Program Highlights:
- No off-campus travel, all courses are offered on Kutztown’s campus
- Certificate awarded concurrently at Kutztown graduation
- Instruction focused on legal research, writing, ethics, contracts, and litigation
- Career preparation for law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments
- A 225-hour internship option is offered to provide hands-on professional experience
- A strong preparation for students considering law school
If you have any questions, contact Diane Tallarita, Paralegal Studies Coordinator at dtallarita@lccc.edu.
Enhance Your Skillset with a Paralegal Studies Certificate
Through a unique partnership, Kutztown students can earn LCCC's ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate while working towards their bachelor's degree.
Paralegal Certificate Goals
- Apply legal and business skills, such as preparing legal documents and conducting legal research, necessary for a position in a law office, bank, real estate office, government authority, or any position that uses the knowledge of the law.
- Demonstrate substantive knowledge and procedural knowledge of the law.
- Apply soft skills, such as working as a member of a team, communication skills, and ethical decision-making.
- Apply the rules of professional and ethical conduct governing lawyers and their application to paralegals.
Paralegal Certificate Frequently Asked Questions
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What can I do with a paralegal certificate?
Graduates may pursue careers in law firms, corporate legal departments, title companies, government agencies, banking institutions, and other legal or administrative settings in both public and private sectors. A certificate does not permit the practice of law, but it does allow careers under the supervision of licensed law professionals. Students who earn their paralegal certificate also have a strong foundation, should they choose to pursue law school.
Graduates are prepared for careers such as:
- Paralegal
- Litigation specialist
- Contract coordinator
- Title searcher
- Trust coordinator
- Settlement clerk
- Legal support professional
- Records management specialist
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Is an internship required for the paralegal certificate?
Paralegal certificate students have the option to complete a 225-hour internship as an elective. If your program of study at Kutztown also requires an internship, that is a separate requirement and cannot be fulfilled by your paralegal certificate internship. Students should work closely with both the internship advisor and their Kutztown University bachelor's program advisor to coordinate their internship experiences.
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What courses will I take to earn the paralegal certificate?
LCCC’s Paralegal Studies Certificate requires 30 credits, all of which are held on Kutztown’s campus or online. Students must complete the following required LCCC courses (21 credits):
- PLG 120: Intro to Paralegal Studies
- PLG 150: Torts and Personal Injury
- PLG 200: Civil Litigation Procedure
- PLG 215: Law Office Management
- PLG 220: Contract Law and Business Organization
- PLG 245: Legal Research and Writing
Students then complete a minimum of 3 elective credits, which include but are not limited to the following courses:
- Worker's Compensation Practice
- Immigration Law for Paralegals
- Estates & Trusts
- Bankruptcy Law
Students are required to transfer 9 credits of Kutztown 200-level courses to LCCC as electives.
LCCC’s Paralegal Studies program options are primarily offered through synchronous instruction. Paralegal Studies classes may be enhanced with asynchronous materials. Paralegal Studies students must take at least 9 semester credits, or the equivalent, in legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
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What does the American Bar Association's approval of paralegal education programs mean?
The American Bar Association guidelines were developed to promote high standards of quality in paralegal education. Seeking approval from the ABA is a voluntary process, initiated by the institution offering the program. To become eligible for ABA approval, a program must have been in operation for at least two academic years, have graduated students, and must fully satisfy all ABA guidelines.
The LCCC paralegal certificate program offered exclusively at Kutztown University has undergone evaluation and meets the ABA's strict standards and guidelines.
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How do I pay for my LCCC paralegal certificate since I am a Kutztown Student?
The paralegal studies classes are offered through LCCC; therefore, the classes are billed by LCCC. To be part of the paralegal certificate program, students must submit the LCCC application. Kutztown University does not have any financial obligation for class payments. The student is responsible for tuition, course fees, and technology fees. If you receive financial aid, you can use it to pay for LCCC classes. When completing the FAFSA, list only Kutztown University, not Lehigh Carbon Community College. Grades received are for LCCC credits and will appear on Kutztown transcripts as transfer credits.