PARALEGAL PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE FULL-TIME DAY PROGRAM
- 15 Courses
- 1 Semester
- On Campus
- Certificate + Digital Badge
Villanova's Paralegal Certificate Program is an ABA-approved program that has been educating paralegals for over 30 years. Offered in both a full-time day (in person) and part-time evening (online) format, the Program is designed to train qualified individuals in the theory and philosophy of the law and the ethics of legal practice. Students gain the necessary practical skills to effectively assist lawyers and executives in providing legal services to corporations, governmental agencies, law firms and businesses.
Students enrolling in the Paralegal Professional Certificate program may want to become licensed. Each state/jurisdiction has unique educational and prerequisite requirements that candidates must meet to obtain licensure. The Provost's website provides additional information on whether this program meets the educational requirements in each state/jurisdiction.
The in-person, daytime Paralegal Professional Certificate Program consists of 15 courses taken over one semester on Villanova's campus in the Philadelphia area. This spring, our revamped in-person class format will combine in-person learning with online class components, creating a hybrid course model. Classes will meet Monday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Full-time cohorts begin in August and January each year.
IMPORTANT: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.
Fall 2025 application and materials are due by August 10. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
LEARNED SKILLS
- Legal Writing
- Contract Law
- Legal Research
- Business Organizations
- Ethics
- Family Law
- Intellectural Property Law
WHO SHOULD ENROLL?
A career as a paralegal is ideal for professionals who are excited about the legal field and passionate about helping others. It offers a dynamic work environment where individuals can play a crucial role in supporting attorneys, conducting legal research and ensuring justice is served.
The following items must be submitted as part of the application process:
- Official transcript(s) showing proof of Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- Essay: Writing sample of career goals. Download essay guidelines.
- Resume
Applications for the Paralegal Program are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Deadlines: Application and materials are due
- August 10 for the Spring 2025 Full-Time Day Program
Transfer Courses:
Students may petition for Villanova to accept a transfer course from another ABA Approved Paralegal program. All policies related to the transfer of courses are found in the Non-Credit Professional Programs Supplement.
In addition to the above requirements, international Paralegal Program applicants must also submit:
- Official English translation of transcripts by WES or NACES-approved agency
- TOEFL or IELTS for non-native English speakers
- Completed Certification of Finances form along with bank statement (dated no later than three months prior to the submission of your application) showing the ability to meet tuition and living expenses. If the bank statement is not in the applicant's name, then a letter of support must accompany the bank statement of the account holder stating he/she will financially support the application while he/she is attending Villanova.
All international CPS students must secure their own housing.
PARALEGAL CAREER OUTLOOK
$71,110
median annual salary for a paralegal in the Phildelphia region
43,000
projected job openings for paralegals and legal assistants over the next year
$60,970
median annual salary for a paralegal nation-wide
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics
By attending classes in person, students in this program get the chance to build strong connections with their classmates and instructors while making the most of Villanova University’s Career Management resources and networking opportunities.
HOW IT WORKS
Learn on campus, in person
Program Cost: $8,750*
*Books and parking fees not included
Fall 2025
Classes run from August 25 - December 10
Student Orientation: August 14
No Classes: September 1, November 26 - 28
Courses take place Monday through Thursday with classes running between 9:00am - 2:30pm.
In Person
Need an evening or online-only option? Check out our Part-Time Evening 100% Online Paralegal Professional Program.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM DETAILS
Students complete the following courses:
- Civil Procedure & Litigation
- Business Organizations
- Contract Law
- Criminal Law
- Employment Law
- Estates & Trusts
- Ethics
- Family Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Introduction to Paralegal Profession & Principles
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Paralegal Office Coordination
- Real Estate Law
- Torts and Personal Injury Law
To earn a Villanova University certificate of completion, students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or higher in each class, complete a program exit exam, and submit a portfolio of class assignments.
Tuition
$8,750 for in-person daytime cohort ($583 per course)
Books and parking are additional.
Payment Plans
CPS students enrolling in the Paralegal Program may participate in a payment plan. Payment plans are offered through Nelnet Campus Commerce, and students are encouraged to reach out to Nelnet directly through the NCC website.
Please note:
- Payments must be made over the course of three months.
- There is an additional $45 payment plan fee for each semester.
- To initiate the use of a payment plan for an upcoming course, contact Lisa Weber for a specific code to submit with the application.
Financial Aid
While federal financial aid is not available for the Paralegal program, there are private loan opportunities available. Visit the Office of Financial Assistance website for more information.
For additional financial information, including cancellation policies, billing and payments, visit the Admissions & Enrollment webpage.
Windows PC with Microsoft Office 2010 or Later
- Operating System: Windows 10 (32 bit or 64 bit)
- Processor: Pentium 4 - 2.8 GHz (or faster)
- Memory (RAM): 8 GB
- Office Suite: MS Office 2013 or Office 365 Please remember that as a student, you have free and full access to Microsoft Office 365, the cloud-based version of the Office Desktop. Your Office 365 username is [youruserid]@villanova.edu.
- Internet Browser: Firefox (Latest version) or Chrome (Latest version)
- Internet Service: DSL, Cable, or Satellite
Other Required Components:
- Headset with microphone
- Webcam
- Current version of Flash player
- Adobe Reader
- Browser configuration must support Javascript, allow cookies, and popup blockers must be turned off
Students enrolled in the Paralegal Certificate Program can connect with a network of more than 72 law firms and 260+ active alumni. Additionally, the College of Professional Studies (CPS) has cultivated relationships with law firms in the region and has a history of providing competent paralegals to these firms. For this reason, our graduates are routinely recruited and hired. CPS is regularly sent job opportunities by alumni and partners and shares them through Handshake, Villanova's job bank.
In addition to program-specific resources offered through CPS, students enrolled in the Paralegal program have access to Villanova Career Management, which includes:
- Services that assist students with defining academic and career goals and job search planning
- Access to the Villanova job bank: HandShake
- Resources to help you move forward in your career
Nova Network is a professional networking platform that allows you to network with Villanovans in your industry or city and obtain career advice from fellow alumni.
FACULTY
Jonathan Schiffman, JD
Professor Schiffman has been sharing his vast experience with students in Villanova’s Paralegal program for over 25 years and has served on the Villanova ABA Paralegal Advisory Board since 1985. The former Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney; former General Counsel & Corporate Secretary Royal Bank America; and Senior Partner in the Philadelphia law firm Schiffman & Ross teaches Basic Legal Principles and Criminal Law. In addition, he authored a book titled “Fundamentals of the Criminal Justice Process.”
Matthew Carluzzo, JD
Matt Carluzzo has directed Villanova’s Paralegal Program since 2016. As the Assistant Dean of Students and Academic Success at Villanova’s law school, Matt helps students develop the specialized academic skills necessary to succeed in law school and in practice. Prior to his academic career, Matt practiced law at a private firm in Washington, DC, where he specialized in large-scale civil and appellate products liability litigation.
Teena M. Amador, ESQ
Teena Amador has been teaching courses in Contracts and Intellectual Property at Villanova for three years. As Legal Counsel for LifeScan Global Corporation, Professor Amador oversees and provides legal advice to LifeScan Global and its affiliates for a variety of matters in connection with commercial, intellectual property, employment matters, and other general corporate matters. In addition, she manages and oversees all intellectual property matters for LifeScan Global including patent and trademark licensing, enforcement and prosecution.
THE VILLANOVA DIFFERENCE
The College of Professional Studies has cultivated a distinguished reputation for delivering the hallmark Villanova experience — academically rigorous, top-quality and innovative programs within a supportive community — to students who are pursuing higher education amidst busy professional and personal lives. As an internationally recognized institution, Villanova is proud of its vibrant community of alumni, faculty, students and staff who are dedicated to driving meaningful impact and transformative change within their communities.
GET IN TOUCH
Our enrollment counselors are happy to answer any questions you have about our certificate programs.
Call 610-519-4300
Learn more about financing your professional education and the professional education enrollment terms and conditions