Paralegal Certification Program
In September 2007, The North Carolina State Bar designated Guilford College as a qualified Paralegal Studies Program. Guilford College is also a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE). All of our Paralegal Certificate Program instructors are either experienced attorneys or paralegals, themselves.
If you are interested in joining the field of legal assistance, the Paralegal Certificate Program can prepare you for career advancement opportunities and provide you with the chance to network and apply your knowledge to the workplace. Upon successful completion of the Guilford College Paralegal Certificate Program, you will be eligible to sit for the North Carolina State Bar Paralegal Certification examination.
Download our Paralegal Brochure.
Paralegal Information Session
To reserve a seat for the January 26, 2012 Information Session call (336) 316-2169 or email ssuddart@guilford.edu
Program Curriculum
The Paralegal Certificate Program consists of approximately 190 in-class hours and at least 300 hours overall delivered over a period of 19 weeks. Classes are held two nights per week and one Saturday per month for approximately 10 hours per week or 16 hours per week for the weeks that include a Saturday class. Students are required to perform more than 100 hours of additional study, as well as research and writing assignments, outside of class.
The first course, Paralegal Skills, teaches the basic knowledge that the student needs to be a paralegal, regardless of the type of law firm or legal environment. Then, four Law Courses cover separate areas of law. The Law Courses are each 5–6 weeks in length and are staggered throughout the program.
The four Law Courses are:
Contracts -Covers the fundamentals of contracts, including mutual assent (offer and acceptance), consideration and consideration substitutes, damages, and defenses to contract formation.
Criminal Law -Covers the fundamentals of crimes, probable cause, arrest, search criminal law and procedure, including the elements and seizure, indictment, discovery and trial practice.
Real Estate-Covers the various forms of ownership of real property (types of estates), easements, eminent domain and condemnation, trespass to property, landlord-tenant law, and the basics of title searching and closings.
Torts -Covers the variety of intentional torts including assault, battery, false imprisonment, trespass, conversion, and invasion of privacy.
Schedule of Classes
Spring classes for the Paralegal Certificate Program will run Feb. 7 through June 15, 2012. To reserve a seat at the upcoming Information Session call (336) 316-2169.
Program Requirements
Applicants to the Paralegal Certificate Program must hold either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Students must be proficient in basic internet skills, word processing skills, have access to a computer, and be fluent in the English language.
| Fees | |
|---|---|
| Tuition (includes materials) | $4,995 |
How to Register
Print and complete the Paralegal Certificate Registration Form, including the section regarding payment. Please make checks payable to Guilford College. If applicable, provide verification of loan approval or letter of tuition guarantee.
Mail the registration forms, payment, and related documentation to:
Paralegal Certificate Program Registration
Professional Development and Training Center
5800 West Friendly Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27410
If paying by credit card, you can also print and complete the registration forms named above, making sure to include major credit card information where indicated, and fax to (336) 316-2935.
