At A Glance
Build on your bachelor’s degree and achieve the specialized legal skills needed to launch a career as a paralegal.
Gain skills in legal research, document drafting, case management, legal citations, and client communication.
Designed exclusively for bachelor’s degree holders.
Complete the certificate fully online and obtained in one year.
Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Welcome to the Paralegal Studies Program:
You’ve already earned your bachelor’s degree, now put it to work in the legal profession. Lackawanna College’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies is built specifically for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in any field and are ready to add specialized legal training to their credentials. The program provides focused training in the American legal system and the practical skills that legal employers demand, preparing you to further your paralegal role with confidence. You’ll learn from experienced attorneys on how to conduct legal research, draft legal documents, manage case files, and interact professionally with clients and courts.
Whether you’re transitioning from another career, re-entering the workforce, or looking to formalize your interest in law, this certificate gives you exactly what you need to move forward.
Your Career Starts Here
According to bls.gov, in May 2025, the median annual wage for paralegals in Pennsylvania was $63,000. Because this certificate builds on an existing bachelor’s degree, graduates often enter the field at a higher level than traditional entry-level candidates, with stronger earning and advancement potential. Paralegals work across every area of law and in a wide variety of settings. Be prepared for positions at:
- Private Law Firms
- Corporate Legal Departments
- Government & Public Agencies
- Nonprofit Legal Aid Organizations
- Insurance Companies
- Real Estate & Title Companies
- Banks & Financial Institutions
- Healthcare Organizations
- Human Resource Departments
More About the Program
Lackawanna College’s Certificate in Paralegal Studies is designed to get you career-ready quickly and efficiently, without duplicating the general education coursework you’ve already completed. Every course in this certificate is focused on legal knowledge and paralegal practice, making the most of your time and your existing degree.
Graduates are prepared to conduct legal research using professional databases, draft a range of legal documents, manage case files, prepare legal citations, and interact professionally with clients, courts, and counsel. Graduates will be prepared to work as a paralegal or continue on to law school and work toward earning an advanced degree.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Utilize critical and analytical thinking skills in paralegal work assignments.
- Employ professional legal writing skills.
- Develop and utilize legal research and investigative skills.
- Communicate effectively in the legal profession.
- Develop and utilize the management and organizational skills required to be an effective paralegal.
- Identify, explain, and utilize the technology necessary to assist in the delivery of legal services.
- Identify and explain the ethical rules governing paralegals and lawyers, including the limitations on the practice of law by non-lawyers.
- Explain the expanding role of paralegals in various areas of the law.
The Course Work
The Paralegal Studies degree includes courses such as:
- Legal Writing
- Legal Research
- Civil Litigation
- Contract Law
- Criminal Law
- Professional Legal Responsibility
- AI and the Legal Profession
Vision Statement
By approaching the study of law from a theoretical, conceptual, and practical perspective, the Peirce College Lackawanna College Paralegal Studies Program will prepare students for the demands of the paralegal profession. Based on a curriculum that is focused on a full range of legal specialty practice areas and a broad scope of general education perspectives, students will obtain the critical thinking, analytical processing, and legal skill sets necessary to succeed as paralegals. As a means of assuring program quality and staying well targeted to the dynamic demands of the legal profession, the College evaluates the program curriculum and student services on a continual basis and incorporates changes identified through the evaluation process. In collaboration with legal practitioners, employers, and professional associations, the College continues working toward the ultimate goal of improving and increasing the utilization of paralegal services. The primary goal of the Peirce Lackawanna College Paralegal Studies Program is to prepare students for rewarding careers in the legal industry as paralegal professionals working under the direct supervision of lawyers in the public and private sector. Peirce Lackawanna College strives to prepare students with an understanding of the substantive knowledge and practical skills necessary to meet the standards of industry proficiency, professional integrity, and academic excellence that are expected and required to serve the legal community.
Accreditation
This program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and provides a foundation for students aspiring to a career in the paralegal profession. The ABA approves only paralegal programs that meet rigorous standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications, student support, and continuous program evaluation. Choosing an ABA-approved program means you are enrolling in a program that has been independently reviewed for quality and is recognized throughout the legal profession. It is important to note that paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.