More than 2,000 people have turned to the Paralegal Institute at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University in the last 30 years to prepare for new careers, or advance in their current positions.

Our Paralegal Institute at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University offers a certificate focused in Paralegal Studies that will provide you with the confidence, connections, practical skills—and enhanced resume—to start or advance your career in the legal community.

Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to continue to grow by 12 percent through 2030, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook

Paralegal Studies Online Certificate

Earn your Certificate in Paralegal Studies by completing just 10 courses. Courses cover a variety of legal topics—all applicable to a career in the field of law. Find out more about our Program Format and Requirements.

Our fully online format allows us to be accessible to students all over the country and world. Courses are taught both synchronously and asynchronously by faculty with extensive professional backgrounds and real-life experience working in the legal field.

ABA-Approved Certificate (10 courses)
If you are ready to be a paralegal, this certificate program is for you. It's offered full time over the summer or part time in the evenings during fall, winter and spring terms. Classes are delivered in a fully online format using both synchronous and asynchronous learning.

You can begin our certificate program in any of the four terms below and complete your studies either part time in the evening (ideally over six terms in one and a half years) or full time over the summer (in 11 weeks).

Paralegal Institute Transcripts

If you would like a copy of your transcript from the Paralegal Institute at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, please email%20Mary%20Olson, our Program Director.

You will receive the copy of your transcript within 5 to 7 business days.

Classes and Schedules

Fall 2025 Term

September 16 – December 5, 2024
Application Deadline has passed
Registration has been closed

Winter 2025 Term

January 6, 2025 – March 20, 2025
Application Deadline: December 11, 2024
Registration: Nov. 18 – Dec. 18, 2024

Spring 2025 Term

March 24, 2025- June 9, 2025
Application Deadline: March 10, 2025
Registration: February 14-March 14, 2025

Summer 2025 Term

June 16, 2025- August 29, 2025
Application Deadline: June 2, 2025
Registration: May 9-June 9, 2025

Fall 2024 through Summer 2025

Students will access their classes through Canvas.

Fall Term begins on September 16, 2024

Winter Term begins on January 6, 2025

Fall Schedule

Paralegal Certificate Online Programs

 
Duquesne campus at night shot

Part-Time Evening Program

Our part-time evening program is built for flexibility. Classes are offered in the evenings from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Each class meets once a week and you can choose the number of classes you want to take per term, completing the program over several terms. Next term Winter 2023 begins on January 3, 2023.

Paralegal Certificate Program
Student on laptop waving at online class

Full-Time Summer Program

The Summer Daytime Intensive Program allows students to complete the entire program of 10 courses, offered Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., and earn a Certificate in General Practice in just one summer. This is the quickest way to complete the program.

Summer Intensive Paralegal Certificate Program

Why Duquesne?

Rachel Vopal

I am grateful every day for the opportunity to participate in and complete Duquesne’s Paralegal Institute. So many doors are open to me and the possibilities are endless.

Rachel Vopal
David Gerber

My time at the Paralegal Institute was nothing short of amazing. The Paralegal Institute’s dedication to academic excellence and career preparation has allowed me to be immediately effective in the legal field. Thanks to the readily available and helpful faculty, I have become hired at a tremendous firm and gained academic notoriety by way of winning the LEX scholarship.

David G. Gerber

Contact Us

Mary Olson

Program Director, Paralegal Institute

Mary Olson