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.
Admission and Application
The basic requirement for admission into the Villanova University Paralegal Education Program is a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Applicants should submit a completed application form including a writing sample setting forth career goals, a $30.00 application fee, an OFFICIAL transcript, and two (2) recommendation letters attesting to academic ability, work experience or character.
All new students may contact the Office of Continuing Studies for a pre-admission interview and counseling session. For more information call (610) 519-4310 or write: Paralegal Education Program, Villanova University, Office of Continuing Studies, Stanford Hall-Ground Floor, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085-1696. The Office of Continuing Studies is open Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 4:00PM.
Villanova University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution.
Continuing Education Units
The Continuing Education Unit (C.E.U.) is a nationally recognized unit of measure standardizing participation in non-degree continuing education courses. A C.E.U. is defined as ten (10) contact hours in an organized program under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.
Program Objective
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:
Summer Term: Monday, May 20, 2013 or
Fall Term: Monday, August 26, 2013
All students are required to take the 3 core courses of Basic Legal Principles/Contracts, Legal Research and Litigation, the Ethics Seminar, Computer Courses 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.
Part-Time Tuition-An Affordable Investment In Your Future:
The tuition for the paralegal certificate -Evening Program- is $800 per course and seminar/computer courses at $100/each (total tuition cost $6,600). Parking Fee and books are additional.
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 Program Sessions.
- The Spring Day Program begins the second week of January and runs through mid-May.
- The Summer Day Program begins in Mid-May and ends in late August (Start Date: Monday, May 13, 2013).
- The Fall Day Program begins in early September and ends in December (Start Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2013)
The full-time day 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 $6900. Parking Fee and books are additional.
