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You are exploring: VU > Academic Affairs > Office of Continuing Studies > Education Opportunities > Non-Credit/Certificate Programs > Paralegal Certificate Program  Print This Page
Villanova University's Paralegal Certificate Program

ABA Approved

Open House
Sam DiLullo, JD, Paralegal Program Coordinator, will conduct an information session on the Paralegal Program from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the October 20, 2009 Open House in the Connelly Center.  Program administrators and recent paralegal graduates will also be available to answer questions.  Attendees of the session will have the $30 Paralegal Program application fee waived!

If you are planning to launch a career or change your present one, consider enrolling in the Villanova University Paralegal Education Program. The Program prepares students to be outstanding candidates in the burgeoning paralegal job market.

Paralegals work under the direction of a lawyer; they do not give legal advice, argue in court, set fees, or accept cases. They do, however, make decisions that call for understanding basic legal concepts. They use computers for information management, and they prepare documents in specialized areas of the law. Additionally, paralegals may interview clients, review documents, prepare trial evidence, maintain case files, research the law, assist lawyers with estate administration, business organizations, and other legal matters.

Program Objective

Student Testimonial
My employer was highly impressed at how much legal knowledge I had. I knew not only what we were filing, but also why it was being filed. I absolutely love going to work in the morning. Villanova is one of the best decisions I have made in my career path.
Amy Lynn Street - Summer Day Program Graduate

To educate qualified individuals in the theory and philosophy of the law and the ethics of legal practice. To teach them the necessary practical skills to enable them to effectively assist lawyers in both the private and public sectors, in accordance with the general principles of ethics as defined by the American Bar Association, in order to extend the competent and effective delivery of legal services in our society.

Part-Time or Full-Time

Part-Time
The Evening Paralegal Certificate Program has been a part of the Office of Continuing Studies since 1983. Courses are offered during four terms each year. You can earn your Paralegal Certificate, part-time, in one year by taking 2 courses each term. You may apply for admission into the Evening Program in any term: Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer. The next session will begin on Tuesday, November 17, 2009.

All students are required to take the 4 core courses of Basic Legal Principles/Contracts,  Legal Research and Litigation, the Ethics, Computer and PA Financial Responsibility Act Seminars and 5 elective courses recommended by your selection of the Business or General Curriculum. It is not required to stay within a pre-determined concentration.
Please note: Core Courses must be completed prior to Concentration Electives.

All courses emphasize paralegal skills, forms, documents and procedures, as well as legal principles and theories which are pertinent to the paralegal's performance on the job. Core courses are designed to help students understand basic legal concepts and develop the decision-making abilities needed by paralegals. Specialty courses focus on high demand areas of employment and help students to develop and apply practical and immediately marketable paralegal skills.

An Affordable Investment In Your Future:
The tuition for the paralegal certificate -Evening Program- is $700. per course and seminars at $100./each (total tuition cost $5,900.00). Parking Fee and books are additional. Tuition may be paid by check or money order, payable to Villanova University. Visa, MasterCard and Discoverer also accepted. Click on V-Bill to process tuition. Tuition is payable per course at the beginning of each term, following registration and tuition assessment (the 1st, 10th and 20th of every month).

Full-Time
The Daytime paralegal certificate program consists of core courses and specialty courses. Core courses are designed to help students understand basic legal concepts and develop the decision-making abilities needed my paralegals. Specialty courses focus on high demand areas of employment and help students to develop and apply practical and immediately marketable paralegal skills.

Villanova offers three Full-Time Paralegal Certificate Programs.

  • The Summer Day Program is offered, starting in Mid-May and ending in late August.
  • The Fall Day Classes for the Fall will begin late August and end in mid-December.
  • The Spring Day Program enables students to complete the program in just 4 months. Spring Session begins the second week of January.  (Start Date: Monday, January 11, 2009)

Each program is an accelerated version of the evening program, allowing a student to attain their Paralegal Certificate in 16 weeks.

Tuition Cost for Day Paralegal Students

The total tuition cost for the paralegal certificate -Day Program- is $6200.00. The cost of books are additional. Tuition may be paid by check or money order, payable to Villanova University. Visa, MasterCard and Discoverer also accepted. Click on V-Bill to process tuition. Tuition is payable, following registration, confirmation and tuition assessment (the 1st, 10th and 20th of every month). Payment is due no later than the first day of class. This requirement applies to all students, including those who register too late to receive a bill. Please read TERMS of BILLING on registration page.