Paralegal On-Campus Program

• Over 600 hours of instruction, simulation, or student required work.
• Complete in just one year.
• Classes conveniently held on weekday evenings.
• Classes held at: Florida International University 11200 SW 8 Street - Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall - Miami, FL 33199
• Qualifications: High School Diploma/GED.
• Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate perfect for framing.
• This is a professional certificate program.
• Credits are not transferable, or applicable to other academic programs.

Qualifications and Other Important information

• Qualifications: High School Diploma/GED.
• Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate perfect for framing.
• This is a professional certificate program.
• Credits are not transferable, or applicable to other academic programs.
• NOTE: The on-campus program is NOT eligible for a student visa.

The Paralegal Certificate Program’s curriculum is based on the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) guidelines and the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). As a member of AAfPE, our Program is in substantial compliance with its course guidelines. This ensures that our students receive an education based on ABA guidelines and at par with that of any Paralegal Certificate Program in the United States. The Paralegal Certificate Program is comprised of 9 courses. Each class will meet for 90 minutes once per week for 14 weeks. By just attending school twice a week, you will obtain your Paralegal Certificate in just one year.

Semester 1 (Core Courses):

• Introduction to the Legal System
• Civil Procedures
• Legal Research and Writing

Semesters 2 and 3:

• Torts
• Criminal Law
• Family Law
• Contracts and Business Organizations
• Constitutional Law
• Real Estate and Trusts and Estates

Payments

1. All payments must be made in full on or before the DROP/ADD date which takes place about the second week after classes begin.
2. A $100 late payment fee will be applied to outstanding balances after the DROP/ADD deadline.
3. Payments are accepted in the form of either: Credit Card, Check Card, Personal Check, Cashier’s Check, Money Order, or Bank Wire Transfer (made payable to FIU-LSI). No Cash will be accepted.
4. The $25 Application Fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable.

To request a refund

A student may request a refund of the course only as provided below:

1. A full course fee refund (100%) may be granted for a course if a written request has been submitted via email to: legal@fiu.edu. Provided such written request is submitted on or before the DROP/ADD date as stated above in item 1 in the Payments section.
2. No course fee refund will be granted for any requests received by the LSI Registrar after the DROP/ADD deadline.

Transferring one course fee payment to another course

A student may request a transfer of course fee payment for one course (original course) to pay for a different course that the student will be attending in the same semester.

1. Transfers are at the discretion of the Director.
2. In order to be considered for a transfer you must submit a written request to the LSI Registrar via email to: legal@fiu.edualong with a valid reason for the transfer request.
3. A transfer request will not be approved if the request is received by the LSI Registrar more than two weeks after the original course began.

Note: Failure to submit a timely course fee refund request or transfer as stipulated above will obligate you to the personal financial liability for the course(s).

Click here to pay application fee.

Q:  What are the requirements for enrolling in the Paralegal Program?
A:  Applicants must complete an online application form.

Q:  How is the Paralegal Program structured?
A:  Students complete 9 courses in 3 consecutive semesters. Each class meets for 90 minutes, once per week, for 14 weeks. Students are automatically registered in the semester that pertains to them so there is no guessing about which classes come next. Students receive their schedule and syllabi approximately one month before the start of the semester.

Q:  I’m a working adult. Will I be able to complete the Paralegal Program?
A:  Our program is designed to accommodate the needs of working adults. Classes are conveniently scheduled on weekday evenings at 7:00 p.m. By attending classes 2 days a week, you will obtain your Paralegal Certificate in just one year!.

Q:  Is there an Orientation session for the Paralegal Program?
A:  A mandatory orientation session is conducted each semester before the start of classes for On-Campus students. The orientation session is not required for Online students. All new students and those students returning after a two semester absence are required to attend the Orientation. 

Q:  I’m going to law school. Can the Paralegal Certificate Program help prepare me?
A:   Yes. Many of our graduates have gone on to succeed in law school. This program will expose you to the basics of jurisprudence and many different areas of law. The Program will reinforce legal terminology, theory and practical applications of the United States legal system and jurisprudence. It will prepare you to train your mind to analyze and solve legal issues. This program will serve as a solid foundation on which to build your law school career.

Q: I am an attorney in a foreign country, what would be the advantages to completing the Paralegal Certificate Program?
A: Traditionally, a large percentage of our students have law degrees from schools in other countries. They have experienced several advantages as a result of completing the Program. This course serves as a means to familiarizing themselves with the terminology, theory, and practical applications of the United States legal system and jurisprudence. Some of our students have recently immigrated to the United States and our Program serves as an initial educational step while preparing for acceptance into a U.S. law school. Some foreign attorneys choose to take our courses because they are considering expanding their practice in their native countries to serve clients from the United States. This Program helps introduce them to the terminology of law in the United States and to the intricacies of the various practice areas covered by our specialty courses, always keeping in mind that Paralegals must work under the supervision of an attorney.

Q: Do I receive credit for the Paralegal Program courses?
A: The Paralegal Program is a non-credit professional program. Students do not earn regular college credits towards a degree. 

Q: Is there a graduation ceremony for the Paralegal Certificate Program?
A: Upon successfully completing all course work, a student is awarded a Certificate of Completion by the FIU Legal Studies Institute. Additionally, the student will be invited to participate in a graduation ceremony celebrated once a year, usually around June or July.

Q: Does the program offer job placement assistance?
A: Yes! We offer opportunities for placement with various local government agencies, law firms and corporate legal departments.

Q: When is the best time to start the Paralegal Certificate Program?
A: Right now! Because the Program only spans one calendar year, the sooner you start, the sooner you will complete your studies and receive your certificate! A new course starts each term: spring, summer and fall. You never have to wait to begin your coursework. 

Q: What is included in cost of program?
A:  The cost of the program includes tuition, access to technology and other legal reference tools. The non-refundable application fee, books and parking fees are not included in the cost of the program. 

Q: Is this program visa eligible? 
A:  No, this program is not eligible to receive a student visa as it is a non-credit program

• Employment Verification Form
• Employment Verification Release
• Academic Honesty Policy
• Payment, Refund & Transfer Policy
• Notification of Collection of SSN