Paralegal
Certificate Program
Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies
Grupp 401 • Phone (215) 968-8227
Curriculum Code No. 3129
This all-inclusive certificate paralegal program requires graduates to complete the same law courses required in the associate degree program. It is designed for the following individuals:
- Legal secretaries seeking higher positions of employment.
- State and federal employees seeking advancement in government careers.
- People with life experience wanting to change careers.
This certificate program will qualify graduates to serve as paralegal and legal assistants for law offices, government agencies, or businesses involving legal work under the ultimate direction and supervision of attorneys.
The courses in this program are designed to impart knowledge and expertise of legal concepts, the legal system, and substantive and procedural law to qualify graduates to perform work of a legal nature that is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.
Graduates of this program are able to
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of substantive and procedural law including the operation of the legal system and the theory of law;
- Perform the duties of a legal assistant in the public and private sector or in a position relating to the practice of law; and
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical obligations and legal limitations of the legal assistant in the public and private sectors.
Admission Procedures
Please note that the following admissions procedures are for those seeking the Paralegal Certificate. Information about the Associate's degree in Paralegal/Legal Studies is available on our website.
Admission to the Paralegal Certificate Program is open only to applicants who possess either an Associate's degree or a Bachelor's degree. To apply for the Paralegal Certificate Program, please complete the following steps:
- Submit an application to Bucks County Community College.
- Submit an official college transcript to the Registrar's Office.
- Email the Program Coordinator of the Paralegal Program, Heather Costello (Heather.Costello@bucks.edu) to make an advising appointment.
The Paralegal certificate program at Bucks is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), the largest professional legal organization in the world. Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
Certificate Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| LAWS100 Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| MGMT130
Business Law | 3 |
| LAWS140 Civil Practice/Litigation Procedures B | 3 |
| LAWS220 Legal Research I B | 3 |
| LAWS225 Legal Research II B | 3 |
| LAWS240 Negligence and Personal Injury B | 3 |
| LAWS285 Internship B | 3 |
| Paralegal Electives A, B | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Since the individual circumstances and backgrounds of students vary, all students planning to complete this certificate program must meet with their assigned academic advisor to develop a planned sequence of courses to meet their individual needs.
A MGMT145 and/or any LAWS course except LAWS100 may be chosen.
B Course requires prerequisite.