School of Business
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Department of Justice & Public Policy
Certificate in Paralegal Studies
The Paralegal Studies Certificate Program emphasizes learning by doing. Students develop and hone critical thinking, research, communication, strategic problem-solving, and other applied skills with a simulation-focused approach.
Work with the law to make a difference.
Equipping students with the fundamental knowledge and applied skills imperative for the paralegal profession and beyond.
Credits
21
Sample Careers
- Paralegal/Legal Assistant
- Legal Analyst
- Compliance Specialist
Financial Aid
The average undergraduate student award is $16,603.
Learn about financial aidProgram Overview
In addition to employment with law firms and corporate legal departments, paralegals and professionals with a paralegal education commonly use their skills in various legal and law-related careers, including criminal justice, compliance, corporate governance, human resources, real estate, health care, finance, public policy, public interest services, and more. The Paralegal Studies Certificate from Concordia enhances a student's undergraduate degree by blending traditional and simulation-focused experiential learning to develop the learner's legal acumen, analytical and critical thinking aptitudes, research and writing competencies, and strategic problem-solving skills.
- This certificate program is available to:
- students enrolled in a traditional undergraduate or accelerated program at Concordia as an add-on certificate.
- students who have already completed an undergraduate degree and wish to earn this certificate without additionally enrolling in a separate degree program.
- The curriculum is offered online as self-paced 16-week and 8-week courses.
- Students must complete 21 credits with a minimum grade of "C" in each paralegal course.
ROBUST GROWTH IN THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the profession to grow "much faster than average," with 14% job growth from 2021 to 2031 (compared to only a 5% average growth rate among all occupations during the same period).
- Michigan expects the paralegal profession to experience growth of 17.5% between 2020-2030, approximately twice the average growth rate (8.8%) across all occupations in the state during the same period.
- In Wisconsin, the home of our very own Concordia University Wisconsin, the state's Department of Workforce Development currently designates the paralegal profession as one of the state's "50 Hot Jobs. "
- Illinois projects 14.4% growth in the paralegal profession between 2020-2030, in contrast to the state's expected overall job growth average of 8.25% during that time
CONNECT WITH US TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TAPPING INTO THIS IN-DEMAND PROFESSION!
What to Expect
In addition to those entering the paralegal field, this program will be advantageous for students who are interested in law school or want to complement their degree with a valuable set of skills attractive to a variety of employers. Students completing this program will be armed with foundational knowledge and practical tools for legal and law-related careers.
Note:
- Paralegals and others completing this program may not provide legal services directly to the public unless expressly permitted by state law. Consult your state's laws regulating the practice and unauthorized practice of law.
- Although this certificate can be taken regardless of degree level completion and as a standalone program, a bachelors or associates degree is strongly recommended in addition to this certificate for employment as a paralegal.
Recommended for you (based on programs you’ve viewed)
Locations
- Ann Arbor
- Online
FOR CURRENT CUAA STUDENTS
For current traditional and accelerated students only
If you are interested in adding this certificate program to your studies while at Concordia, please see your academic and career advisor or add the certificate by using the "Major/Minor Change" form in the portal.
For prospective students who already have a degree
If you are interested in this certificate program and already have an associates or bachelor's degree from Concordia or another accredited institution, you may apply at any point in the year. No need to wait!
- Submit your non-degree online application
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be sent directly to admissions.
You will receive an email and phone call from your helpful Admission Counselor about next steps. When your application file is complete, it will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. With most programs students will be required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above from regionally accredited institutions of higher learning.
**Exceptions to the above admission criteria may be granted through the conditional admission process. For additional information, please contact your Admissions Counselor.
Matthew Mac Kelly
J.D., Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Phone: (262) 243-4247
Bio
Assistant Professor, Justice & Public Policy; Paralegal Studies Program Director
Education
- EDD - Higher Education , Regent University (2021)
- JD - Law, Marquette University Law School (2001)
- BS - Political Science, North Dakota State University (1998)
Research Interests
- Higher Education Law and Compliance
- Title IX Regulation and Compliance
Teaching Interests
- Law
- Paralegal Studies
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Legal and Christian Ethics. Students will interpret and apply the ethical rules and concerns in the legal profession.
1.1 Students will be able to interpret and apply the rules of professional conduct, including the American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct and those adopted by the States of Wisconsin or Michigan, as applicable.
1.2 Students will be able to evaluate ethical rules and concerns in the context of Christian legal professionals.
1.3 Students will demonstrate professionalism and civility through conduct consistent with the legal profession’s values and standards.
2. Critical Thinking and Reasoning. Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in performing legal reasoning, analysis, and problem solving.
2.1 Students will be able to critically read legal authorities (such as constitutions, statutes, regulations, and cases) to identify relevant legal rules and applicable public policies.
2.2. Students will be able identify relevant legal issues arising from factual scenarios and argue opposing positions on the identified issues.
2.3 Students will be able to apply legal thinking process to synthesis legal rules with facts to project likely outcomes.
3. Professional Language Skills. Students will be able to use appropriate legal language and terminology in procedural and substantive contexts competently and precisely.
3.1 Students will be able to discern and describe the American legal system, including sources of American law, the judicial system, and numerous areas of procedural and substantive areas of laws.
3.2 Students will be able to identify the functions of law in American society, how they relate to corresponding legal research material, the legislative process, and the judicial structure and system.
4. Legal Research and Communication. Students will be able to research and communicate effectively about legal matters both orally and in writing.
4.1 Students will be able to develop and apply legal research and writing skills incorporating fact gathering and issue identification.
4.2 Students will be able to locate primary and secondary legal authorities using various modes and methods.
4.3 Students will be able to recognize and compare various legal authorities for the preparation of legal memoranda of law, briefs, and forms in various writing styles.
4.4 Students will be able to cite applicable legal authorities appropriately.
4.5 Students will be able to design research plans and implement them in consideration of time and resource constraints.
4.5 Students will prepare a variety of practice-based and legal documents, accurately prepare legal forms, and summarize legal documents in an organized, reasoned, and professional manner.
5. Conflict Management and Resolution. Students will be able to collaborate with others for the promotion of formal and informal dispute resolution.
5.1 Students will be able to develop and implement plans for resolving client issues with consideration of the client’s goals, available legal options, and the client’s best interests.
5.2 Students will be able to identify and distinguish between forms of alternative dispute resolution with a comprehension of advantages and disadvantages of each.