Paralegal

Candidates for the certificate must meet the admissions requirements and complete the Paralegal Part-Time application process. Learners are encouraged to declare candidacy as soon as possible, but no later than after the third course in the program.

1. Apply Online
   Login or create a new account to submit the Paralegal Part-Time Program Application with the non-refundable $125 application fee.
   Part-Time Application
2. Submit Transcripts
   Send official transcripts verifying you meet the admission requirements of a completed associates, bachelor’s, or master’s degree to the Records Office. Learners must have an Associate of Arts or Science degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree from an accredited post-secondary institution. An Associate of Applied Science degree, or an occupational or vocational degree does not satisfy the educational requirements.
   How to Submit Transcripts
3. Receive Acceptance Notification
   Learners will receive an acceptance letter within 2-3 weeks of submitting their application AND official transcript. Once accepted, candidates are eligible to earn a paralegal certificate.

Learners must complete a total of 30 units/300 hours of instruction with a grade of “C” or above in all courses. At least 15 units of paralegal coursework must be completed through synchronous instruction. This is accomplished through in-person instruction or remote instruction with live online meetings between instructors and students. Certificate candidates must complete the program within five years of taking their first course.

After you have completed all requirements, you may request to receive your official digital certificate by completing the Request for Certificate and returning it to our offices as noted on the form. All requirements must be completed within five (5) years after the learner enrolls in his/her first course.

UC Irvine Paralegal Certificates are valid under Business and Professions Code Section 6450. However, paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

The compressed full-time program has an intense curriculum. The entire paralegal program (11 courses) is completed throughout 3 months (13 weeks) of the program. 

Courses are held remote online including at least 15 units of synchronous instruction using live online daytime and evening meetings.

We expect a student to spend over 40 hours a week outside of the scheduled zoom meetings with several courses occurring at once. We do not recommend that a student be working or taking other courses during this program.

Note: Learners that enroll into the paralegal compressed format must complete the program in the compressed format.

Paralegal Compressed Program
MISC 915.41, 30 units

Typically Offered:
Winter, Summer, and Fall quarters
(not offered Spring quarter)

Winter 2025 Schedule:

View Detailed Schedule

*See the Program Fee section below for more information about fees and payment options.
**Refer to the Academic Calendar for more information on quarter start dates.

Note: Learners cannot transfer to the part-time format after starting the full-time compressed program.

Candidates for the Compressed Paralegal Program certificate must meet the admissions requirements and complete the application process. Full registration, including program fee payment, is required to secure a seat. The Compressed Paralegal Application and Official Transcripts do not secure your seat.  

1. Apply Online
   Login or create a new student account to submit the Paralegal Compressed Program Application with the non-refundable $125 application fee.
   • Create or Log In to My Account
   • Select My Certificates
   • Declare Candidacy and select Paralegal (Compressed)
   • Complete the checkout to payment
2. Submit Transcripts
   Send official transcripts verifying you meet the admission requirements of a completed associates, bachelor’s, or master’s degree to the Records Office. Students must have an Associate of Arts or Science degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree from an accredited post-secondary institution. An Associate of Applied Science degree, or an occupational or vocational degree does not satisfy the educational requirements.
   
   Compressed Paralegal students that are still in the process of earning their degree can provide an official transcript showing their course work and be issued a conditional acceptance letter. The conditional acceptance letter will allow students to enroll and secure a seat in the paralegal compressed program. An official transcript showing the degree award date must be submitted before the end of the paralegal compressed program to receive a paralegal certificate.
   
   How to Submit Transcripts
3. Receive Acceptance Notification
   Students will receive an acceptance letter within 2-3 weeks of submitting their application AND official transcript. Once accepted, candidates are eligible to earn a paralegal certificate.
4. Register and Submit Payment
   Within 1-2 days of receiving the acceptance letter, students will receive an email with instructions on how to register and pay for the program. After payment is received, UCI DCE Student Affairs & Student Services will enroll students into individual courses and send an enrollment confirmation via email.
   
   A Payment Plan option is available. Once the first payment installment is made successfully, UCI DCE Student Affairs & Student Services will register students into individual courses and send an enrollment confirmation via email. See the Program Fee section below for more information.
   
   

The program fee is $8,785 not including application fee and books.

Limited Number of Seats:

There is a limited number of seats available in this program. Full registration, including program fee payment, is required to secure a seat.

Payment Options:

• Pay in full at the time of enrollment. OR
• Pay with a payment plan of three equal installments upon enrollment and throughout the quarter. Students that choose the payment plan will pay a non-refundable participation fee of $100. To register with a payment plan, please refer to the Payment Plan Info Sheet, and contact Student Affairs & Student Services at dce-services@uci.edu.

WI25 Payment Plan Info Sheet

Note: Certificates will not be issued until all program fees are paid in full.

Refunds:

All refunds are subject to a $300 non-refundable and non-transferable administrative fee except when the program is cancelled by UCI DCE. In the event the program is cancelled, a full refund of the program fee will be processed. UCI DCE refunds back to the original payer and in the original form of payment. Please allow a minimum of three weeks for processing. Candidacy, parking, late, and drop fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Textbook costs are not included in the program fees. Purchase all required textbooks at least one week before courses begin to ensure availability and allow time for shipping. A list of textbooks will be sent to students after enrollment has been confirmed.

Learners must complete a total of 30 units/300 hours of instruction with a grade of “C” or above in all courses. At least 15 units of paralegal coursework must be completed through synchronous instruction. This is accomplished through in-person instruction or remote instruction with live online meetings between instructors and learners. Certificate candidates must complete the program within five years of taking their first course.

After you have completed all requirements, you may request to receive your official digital certificate by completing the Request for Certificate and returning it to our offices as noted on the form. All requirements must be completed within five (5) years after the learner enrolls in his/her first course.

UC Irvine Paralegal Certificates are valid under Business and Professions Code Section 6450. However, paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

Goals

• To provide an educational foundation that assists paralegals in becoming ethical, professional, and effective members of a legal services delivery team
• To prepare students for a career as a paralegal working under the supervision of an attorney in law firms, corporations, and public sector organizations

Objectives

• Advance oral and written communication skills
• Develop technology skills and a framework for learning new technology skills
• Gain analytical skills through the study of case law and the federal and California legal systems
• Practice critical thinking skills through substantial writing assignments
• Develop practical litigation and transactional skills and create a framework for understanding the most common areas of law practice in California
• Understand the role and responsibilities of paralegals as well as the rules of professional conduct and their application to legal professionals
• Practice the attitude and skills necessary to succeed as a paralegal in various legal settings

A legal assistant or paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. – AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION

Our American Bar Association-approved program gives you knowledge, career preparation, and a prestigious certificate that will differentiate you in the job market under the California Business & Professions Code §6450.

Paralegals serve as a pivotal link between a firm and its clients, the office of opposing counsel, and the court system or other departments outside of the organization. They do just about everything an attorney does except give legal advice, set fees, and represent clients in court. While paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law, the typical tasks paralegals do perform include:

• Conducting client interviews and maintaining general contact
• Assisting with case management
• Locating and interviewing witnesses
• Performing investigations and statistical documentary research
• Retrieving and gathering factual information
• Performing legal research and analysis
• Drafting legal documents, correspondence, and pleadings
• Summarizing depositions, testimony, and records; drafting discovery, including interrogatories and responses
• Attending executions of wills, real estate closings, depositions, court or administrative hearings, and trials with the attorney

The Paralegal Compressed program is a full-time program. All 11 courses are taken throughout the 13 weeks of the program. We do not recommend that a student be working in the evenings or weekends during the 3-month compressed program. The compressed program has an intense curriculum where students are taking multiple courses at the same time and will complete a years’ worth of paralegal curriculum within the span of 13 weeks (3 months).

For the paralegal admission process official transcripts must show your degree award date (a bachelor’s degree or an associate of arts or science degree). Transcripts without a degree award date cannot be accepted for admission into the paralegal certificate program.

Paralegal full-time, compressed students that are still in the process of earning their degree can provide an official transcript showing their course work and be issued a conditional acceptance letter. The conditional acceptance letter will allow students to enroll and secure a seat in the paralegal compressed program. An official transcript showing the degree award date should be submitted by the end of the first week of the compressed program.

The professional references listed on the application can be anyone that you’ve worked with in a professional capacity. The reference would be someone that could provide more information on your professional background (work ethic, critical thinking skills, etc.). Examples of professional references include employers, community service leaders, or previous instructors.