Online Paralegal Certificate

Earn an Online Paralegal Certificate from Rasmussen College

An online Paralegal Certificate from Rasmussen College will prepare you for a successful and fast-paced career in the field of law. Paralegals, also called Legal Assistants, continue to assume a growing range of tasks in the Nation’s legal offices and perform many of the same tasks as Lawyers. Graduates of our online Paralegal Certificate program learn to provide services in all phases of the legal system including courts, law firms, and government agencies, under the supervision of an Attorney.

This is a POST–DEGREE certificate for students interested in pursuing a career as a Paralegal. You must have completed a two or four year degree prior to enrolling in the online Paralegal Certificate program.

Learn more:
What You Do as a Paralegal
What You Will Learn During Your Online Paralegal Certificate Education
What Careers Are Available after Earning an Online Paralegal Certificate?
Paralegal AAS Degree


Begin a Career Assisting Attorneys with an Online Paralegal Certificate

With an online Paralegal certificate from Rasmussen College, you will have the skills to assist Lawyers by researching legal precedent, investigating facts, and preparing legal documents. Earning this Certificate, will clearly show that you have a strong commitment to your career, positioning you for the possibility of faster advancement, a higher salary, and more respect from your employer and peers.

Call us at (888) 549-6755 to learn more about any of our programs. One of our Admissions Representatives will be able to answer any questions you might have about why Rasmussen College is the right choice for your education.

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School of Justice Studies
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What You Do as a Paralegal

One of a Paralegal’s most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. They may also:

  • Appraise and inventory real and personal property for estate planning
  • Arbitrate disputes between parties and assist in real estate closing process
  • Call upon witnesses to testify at hearing
  • Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas
  • Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents
  • Investigate facts and law of cases to determine causes of action and to prepare cases
  • Keep and monitor legal volumes to ensure that law library is up-to-date
  • Prepare affidavits or other documents, maintain document file, and file pleadings with court clerk
  • Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements

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What You Will Learn During Your Online Paralegal Certificate Education

When you complete your online Paralegal Certificate, you will have acquired the ability to perform these tasks:

  • Understand and exhibit the expected ethical behavior
  • List and explain the steps involved in taking a case to trial by preparing pleadings and other litigation-related documents
  • Analyze and draft contract provisions and contracts, which conform to legal precedents
  • Display the ability to independently research legal issues
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform various forms of legal writing and prepare legal documents
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the paralegal's role in the resolution of tort/personal injury matters by defining causes of actions, identifying the types and amounts of damages, which may be awarded, and demonstrating proper tort research techniques
  • Exhibit judgment, comprehension, and analytical ability in categorizing legal data and issues
  • Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills
  • Exhibit computer proficiency and knowledge of computer software used in the legal profession

Students in the online Paralegal Certificate program also examine specialty courses such as Torts, Family Law, Civil Litigation, Corporate Law, and Real Estate Law.

Note: This certificate is intended to add credentials to an existing professional resume and is not a degree-earning program. To earn a degree as a Paralegal, consider our Paralegal AAS degree.

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What Careers are Available after Earning an Online Paralegal Certificate?

Paralegals are in high demand, as employers try to reduce costs by hiring them to perform tasks formerly carried out by Lawyers. Job openings are expected to increase 30% nationally over the next six years. Paralegals also have high earning potential, with the median salary averaging over $40,000 per year. With an online Paralegal Certificate, you could work as a:

  • Paralegal
  • Legal Assistant
  • Compliance Specialist
  • Court, Municipal, and License Clerk
  • Legal Secretary
  • Loan Interviewer and Clerk
  • Tax Preparer
  • Title Examiner, Abstractor, and Searcher

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Rasmussen College can help you increase your skills and professional credentials. For more information about our Diplomas, Certificates, or any of our programs, please call us at (888) 549-6755. One of our Admissions Representatives will be happy to help you.


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