More than 2,000 people have turned to the 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 at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University offers a 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.

Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to continue to grow by 12 percent through 2030, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook

Paralegal Studies Online Certificate

Earn your 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.

ABA-Approved Certificate (10 courses)
If you are ready to be a paralegal, this certificate program is for you. It's offered full time over the summer or part time in the evenings during fall, winter and spring terms. Classes are delivered in a fully online format using both synchronous and asynchronous learning.

You can begin our certificate program in any of the four terms below and complete your studies either part time in the evening (ideally over six terms in one and a half years) or full time over the summer (in 11 weeks).

Paralegal Institute Transcripts

When contacting the Duquesne University Paralegal Institute regarding copies of a transcripts, you can contact%20us%20via%20email.  

You will receive the copy of your transcript within 5 to 7 business days.

Fall September - December
Winter January - March
Spring April - June
Summer June - August

Classes and Schedules

Fall 2023 through Summer 2024

Students will access their classes through Canvas.

Next term Summer begins on June 19, 2023. 

Fall Term begins on September 11, 2023

Spring Schedule

Paralegal Certificate Online Programs

 
Duquesne campus at night shot

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. Next term Winter 2023 begins on January 3, 2023.

Paralegal Certificate Program
Student on laptop waving at online class

Full-Time Summer Program

The 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. This is the quickest way to complete the program.

Summer Intensive Paralegal Certificate Program

Why Duquesne?

Rachel Vopal

I am grateful every day for the opportunity to participate in and complete Duquesne’s Paralegal Institute. So many doors are open to me and the possibilities are endless.

Rachel Vopal
David Gerber

My time at the Paralegal Institute was nothing short of amazing. The Paralegal Institute’s dedication to academic excellence and career preparation has allowed me to be immediately effective in the legal field. Thanks to the readily available and helpful faculty, I have become hired at a tremendous firm and gained academic notoriety by way of winning the LEX scholarship.

David G. Gerber

Paralegal Faculty

Allison Gaffen

Allison Gaffen

Paralegal Institute Adjunct Faculty

Eric Gillen

Eric Gillen

Paralegal Institute Adjunct Faculty

Jason Kelley

Jason Kelley

Paralegal Institute Adjunct Faculty

Joseph P. Nigro

Joseph P. Nigro

Paralegal Institute Adjunct Faculty

Jennifer Rae

Jennifer Rae

Paralegal Institute Adjunct Faculty

Charles Sprowls, M.L.I.S.

Charles Sprowls, M.L.I.S.

Head of Information Access and Student Services and Adjunct Professor

Midori Vasquez

Midori Vasquez

Paralegal Institute Adjunct Faculty

Kevin Whyte

Kevin Whyte

Paralegal Institute Adjunct Faculty

Contact Us

Ginny Zaccari

Paralegal Institute Program Director

Virginia Zaccari