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PARALEGAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

ACADEMICS
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An ABA‑Approved Legal Education

The Paralegal Certificate Program at Hofstra Law provides a rigorous, practice-oriented curriculum designed to prepare students to perform substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney. The program emphasizes legal knowledge, analytical reasoning, ethical awareness, communication, and technical proficiency.

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Building Paralegal Skills

Students gain exposure to a wide range of legal practice areas through coursework in substantive and procedural law, legal research and writing, and the use of legal technology. The program is structured for students who have already completed a significant portion of undergraduate education and wish to pursue focused professional preparation for a paralegal career.

What You’ll Learn

The goals of the Paralegal Certificate Program are to:

  1. Develop Competent Paralegals: Provide students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to perform substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney
  2. Promote Legal Literacy: Foster an understanding of the American legal system, court structure, and sources of law
  3. Build Research and Writing Skills: Train students to conduct effective electronic legal research and to draft clear, accurate, and professional legal documents
  4. Ensure Ethical and Professional Standards: Instill an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of paralegals and the boundaries of the unauthorized practice of law
  5. Integrate Legal Technology: Prepare students to use technology effectively in law practice
  6. Support Career Development: Encourage professionalism, communication, and career readiness through practical instruction and workshops

Upon completion of the Paralegal Certificate Program, students will be able to:

  1. Explain the organization and function of the U.S. legal system and the role of the paralegal within it
  2. Conduct legal research using primary and secondary sources through electronic legal databases
  3. Analyze facts and apply relevant law to develop logical, well-reasoned conclusions
  4. Draft and edit a variety of legal documents, including pleadings, contracts, and correspondence
  5. Apply procedural rules in civil, criminal, and specialized legal settings
  6. Demonstrate professional ethics, including confidentiality, competence, unauthorized practice of law, and proper attorney supervision
  7. Use technology to support legal practice through electronic research, document preparation, and case management
  8. Exhibit effective communication, critical thinking, and organizational skills appropriate to a legal environment

Student Perspectives

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Flexible Program Schedules

The Paralegal Certificate Program provides flexible learning options: a hybrid format for daytime students and a fully online format for evening students.

We offer three course delivery options for students to choose from.

  1. In-person day: Once registered in this option the student must attend classes on campus each day the class is scheduled to meet.
  2. Remote day: Once registered in this option the student must attend classes via Zoom each day the class is scheduled to meet.
  3. Remote evening: Once registered in this option the student must attend classes via Zoom each day the class is scheduled to meet.

The in-person day and remote day classes are one class; the course is simultaneously taught with students who are in person in the classroom and with students who are on Zoom.

The Legal Research and Writing class and the Information Technology for Paralegals class are both taught only via Zoom. There is no in-person option for these classes.

*If the Law School closes for inclement weather, in-person classes will be taught via Zoom.

Spring 2026

Spring Day

  • Commences: February 4, 2026
  • Concludes: July 1, 2026
  • Days Offered: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
  • Times Offered: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Note: Some class schedule times vary.

Spring Evening

  • Commences: February 4, 2026
  • Concludes: July 6, 2026
  • Days Offered: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
  • Times Offered: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday

Note: Some class schedule times vary.

Fall 2026

Fall Day

  • Commences: September 9, 2026
  • Concludes: February 22, 2027
  • Days Offered: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
  • Times Offered: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Note: Some class schedule times vary.

Fall Evening

  • Commences: September 9, 2025
  • Concludes: February 24, 2027
  • Days Offered: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
  • Times Offered: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday

Note: Some class schedule times vary.

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TAKE THE NEXT LEAP
IN YOUR LEGAL EDUCATION

Learn more about Hofstra Law’s academic programs and how they prepare students for success in the legal profession.