About the Program
Paralegals are lifelong learners devoted to helping others. Whether it’s doing extensive research on cases or talking clients through a trial, the work of a paralegal is dynamic. Get your start in a high-demand, rewarding career by earning your paralegal certificate online.
The University of Tennessee Center for Professional Education & Lifelong Learning offers an online Paralegal Studies Certificate program that prepares students with the skills necessary to drive their paralegal careers. Our paralegal certificate program combines quality, affordability, and flexibility to give working professionals the opportunity to earn a comprehensive education from one of the top research universities in the country.
Next Start Date
September 8, 2025
Courses Required: 1
Total Tuition Cost: $3,799*
*This includes books, supplies, and fees.
Completed registration must be submitted by 7 p.m. ET of the published start date.
Request Information
To learn more about the Online Paralegal Studies Certificate, fill out the form below to download a free brochure and receive a sample syllabus. You can also call 865-432-8532 to speak with an enrollment specialist.
Program Quick Facts
Five starts per year
100 percent online
Fully asynchronous coursework with optional live sessions
Finish in fourteen weeks
No prior professional or academic legal experience required
Why UT Knoxville?
Gain the skills to become a successful paralegal.
Students who complete this program have an in-depth understanding of vital paralegal knowledge and responsibilities such as legal vocabulary, critical reading, thinking and writing, interviewing, investigation, legal research, law office administration, and commonly used technologies.
Learn from instructors with decades of legal experience.
We pride ourselves on the fact that our instructors are experienced professionals that truly care about student success. The curriculum for our online Paralegal Studies Certificate was developed by Dana Chavis, an expert with over twenty years of experience in the legal field.
Work through interactive coursework on your time.
Within our course modules, students follow a hypothetical client’s case from the initial meeting through every stage of the litigation process, giving students real-world experience and writing samples.
Complete your certificate in fourteen weeks, part-time.
This program is designed for working professionals. Because of that, we have constructed our curriculum to keep the workload around three to five hours per week, while ensuring students leave feeling empowered with the paralegal skills they need.
Earn your certificate 100 percent online. No prior legal experience or background education required.
We welcome career changers. No matter your background, you can earn the certificate you need for the job that you want.
11%
The job market for paralegals and legal assistants is expected to grow by nearly 11 percent by 2034.Source: Lightcast
$54,100
The median salary for paralegals in 2023 was $54,100 a year.Source: Lightcast
Not only has my confidence level increased since taking the Paralegal Studies Certificate course and passing it, but how I approach my job has now shifted. I believe my contributions to the overall company have made a difference, and after completing the program, I was promoted to a Corporate Paralegal.”
—Dana Niedziela, online Paralegal Studies Certificate, May ‘24 cohort
Registration Is Quick and Easy!
STEP 2
Submit your
course fee
Total Cost: $3,799*
*This includes books, supplies, and fees.
Completed registration (including course fees) must be submitted by 7 p.m. ET of the published start date.
STEP 3
Enroll in
your course
Registration Requirements
We welcome students of all levels and prior experience to earn their paralegal certificate online.
Register Now- We encourage you to discuss education benefits with your employer to supplement the certificate cost.
- Anyone over the age of 18 can register: no prior legal experience or education, minimum GPA, GRE or GMAT, or resume/CV is required for our program.
- Because of the specificity of this program in relation to the American legal system, international students cannot be accepted into the program at this time.
Paralegal Careers
Paralegals build dynamic, fulfilling careers, in which they can make a significant impact on people’s lives. The expansive landscape of the legal system also gives paralegals the chance to specialize their practice in different fields of law, including:
- Corporate law
- Family law
- Immigration law
- Intellectual property law
- Real estate law
- Healthcare law
- Appellate law
- Criminal defense
There were more than 12,000 employers competing for paralegal talent in the first half of 2025, according to the labor analytics database Lightcast.
An online paralegal certificate can also position you for a salary boost in as little as fourteen weeks. Lightcast states that the median annual salary for paralegals in 2025 was $64,900, a 30 percent increase over the past three years.
Here are some of the most common job titles someone with a paralegal certificate might hold:
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary (According to Lightcast) |
|---|---|
| Corporate Paralegal | $89,900 |
| Legal Assistant | $53,400 |
| Intellectual Property Paralegal | $92,400 |
| Trust and Estate Paralegal | $80,100 |
| Real Estate Paralegal | $70,000 |
| Litigation Paralegal | $72,600 |
FAQs
The job of a paralegal changes from day to day. Because of this, aspiring paralegals need to have a firm understanding of the legal system and law office practices. Paralegals and legal assistants help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, and meetings by taking on tasks including investigating and gathering facts, reviewing and organizing important case documents, conducting research, drafting reports and other legal documents, and speaking with clients.
No, while both a paralegal and a legal secretary are vital in assisting lawyers, they are not the same. Paralegals are often more involved in the legal side of preparing a case, while legal secretaries focus more on clerical work. This distinction is often the reason that so many paralegals seek out a more specialized education like a paralegal certificate.
Yes, many lawyers have gotten their start as paralegals. As a paralegal, it is integral that you have a deep understanding of legal terminology, the American legal system, critical reading and researching, and law office administration. These are all things that put you one step ahead when looking to transition into law school.
Yes, the certificate will be awarded physically via mail by the UT Center for Professional Education & Lifelong Learning. A digital badge will also be provided, so you can share your achievement on LinkedIn, in email signatures, etc.
