Paralegal Studies Fully Online Certificate
More than 2,000 people have turned to our Paralegal Institute at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University in the last 30 years to prepare for new careers, or advance in their current positions.
Our Paralegal Institute offers a fully online certificate focused in Paralegal Studies
that will provide you with the confidence, connections, practical skills—and enhanced
resume—to start or advance your career in the legal community.
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ABA-Approved Certificate (10 courses)
If you are ready to be a paralegal, this certificate program is for you. Earn your ABA-Approved Certificate in Paralegal Studies by completing just 10 courses. Courses cover a variety of legal topics—all applicable to a career in the field of law. Find out more about our Program Format and Requirements.
Our fully online format allows us to be accessible to students all over the country and world. Courses are taught both synchronously and asynchronously by faculty with extensive professional backgrounds and real-life experience working in the legal field.
Flexible Scheduling to Fit Your Life
Whether you're ready to dive in full time or need to balance school with other commitments, our certificate program is designed with flexibility in mind.
Choose the pace that works for you:
- Full Time: Complete the entire program in just 11 weeks over the summer.
- Part Time: Take evening classes during the fall, winter and spring terms and finish in as little as 12 months. On average, our students finish in six terms (18 months).
Our 100% online format is designed for flexibility, with live, instructor-led (synchronous) sessions as the primary mode of instruction, complemented by some asynchronous components.
You can start in any of our four terms listed below—summer, fall, winter or spring—we're here for you whenever you're ready to take the next step.
Schedule
| Spring 2025 Term |
March 24, 2025- June 9, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Summer 2025 Term |
June 16, 2025- August 29, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 Term |
September 15, 2025 – December 4, 2025 |
| Winter 2026 Term | January 12, 2026 – March 26, 2026 Application Deadline: December 12, 2025 Registration: November 19-December 19, 2025 |
Classes
Students will access their classes through Canvas, the University's learning management system.
Summer Term begins on June 16, 2025.
Fall Term begins on September 15, 2025.
Paralegal Institute Transcripts
If you would like a copy of your transcript from the Paralegal Institute at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, please email Mary%20Olson, our Program Director.
You will receive the copy of your transcript within 5 to 7 business days.
Paralegal Certificate Programs (Fully Online)
Part-Time Evening Program
Our Part-time Evening Program is built for flexibility. Classes are offered in the evenings from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Each class meets once a week and you can choose the number of classes you want to take per term, completing the program over several terms.
Full-Time Summer Program
Our Summer Daytime Intensive Program allows students to complete the entire program of 10 courses, offered Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., and earn a Certificate in General Practice in just one summer of 11 weeks. This is the quickest way to complete the program.
When I needed an internship to graduate on time, Mary, the program director,
went above and beyond to secure a placement for me at a law office. The Paralegal
Institute's emphasis on teaching applicable legal software allowed me to excel as
an intern and led to me being hired by the same law office where I interned.
Duquesne Kline’s Paralegal Institute gave me a comprehensive understanding of
various legal disciplines and concepts taught by expert instructors in the field.
The Institute’s focus on industry-relevant technology and practical training has been
instrumental in my success as a paralegal. I highly recommend the Paralegal Institute
to anyone interested in a legal education.
Enrolling in the Paralegal Studies program was one of the best decisions I’ve
ever made! The curriculum was challenging yet incredibly rewarding in that it provided
me with a strong understanding of legal principles and equipped me with skills I was
able to immediately apply in real-world situations. The instructors were knowledgeable
and supportive, and always open to offering guidance and answering questions.
My time at the Paralegal Institute was nothing short of amazing. The Paralegal
Institute’s dedication to academic excellence and career preparation allowed me to
be immediately effective in the legal field. Thanks to the readily available and helpful
faculty, I was hired at a tremendous firm and gained academic notoriety by way of
winning the LEX scholarship.
I am grateful every day for the opportunity to participate in and complete Duquesne
Kline School of Law's Paralegal Institute. So many doors are open to me and the possibilities
are endless.
Why Paralegal Studies at Duquesne Kline School of Law?
