PARALEGAL PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

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 or link to your LinkedIn page

Applications for the Paralegal Program are reviewed on a rolling basis. 

For the Spring 2025 Full-Time Day cohort, we welcome applicants who have earned an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science to apply to the program. This only pertains to the Full-Time Day cohort. 

For the Part-Time Online cohort, all applicants must have earned a Bachelor’s degree.

Deadlines: Application and materials are due

• Spring 2025 Online Part-Time Program: December 16
  
• Spring 2025 Full-Time Day Program: January 13

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.

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

$9,225 for online evening cohort ($615 per course)
$8,625 for in-person daytime cohort ($575 per course)**

**Apply by November 11 to receive a $500 Early Bird discount. 

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!

Use the link below to make an appointment with a member of our financial assistance team.

For additional financial information, including cancellation policies, billing and payments, visit Admissions & Enrollment.

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.  

A career as a paralegal is ideal for professionals who are excited about the legal field and passionate about helping others. A paralegal holds a critical role within a law firm. 

“The constant feedback we’re heard from attorneys and law firms is that the office does not run without paralegals." - Liz Remelius, the Assistant Director of Professional Education in CPS.

Additional information is available about the paralegal profession, it's place in the legal field and the job opportunities available to paralegals: