CCPE Paralegal Programs FAQ

Did you know our paralegal courses are created to prepare students for future success in the field? We offer online and in-class course options for your convenience. Keep reading to learn more and determine which option is best for you.

What are the differences between the online and in-class programs?

The online program is made to be completed whenever you’d like for your convenience, and the course offered teaches a general overview of Paralegal topics. These topics do not focus on Georgia law, but rather American general law. Students will be paired with an instructor and will also receive access to NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants)  and Westlaw, an online legal research engine for those practicing or studying law. After the completion of this course, students will receive a voucher to sit for the NALA Certified Paralegal exam.

The in-class Paralegal Certificate program includes 13 required classes that teach Georgia and American law. All in-class students have access to our on-site Joe R. Edwards Law Library. Daytime and evening courses are available to allow for a flexible schedule. Our award-winning program is taught by practicing attorneys and paralegals. We also offer Cobb County courthouse tours and job postings exclusively for our in-class students.

What topics are covered during the in-class certificate program?

We provide a variety of classes designed to cover different aspects of the paralegal industry. Each of the following classes are required, but do not need to be taken in any specific order. However, level I classes must be taken prior to level II classes.

Our classes include:

• Bankruptcy & Collection Law
• Civil Litigation I
• Civil Litigation II
• Contracts and Business Associations
• Criminal Law
• Estate Planning and Probate
• Family Law
• Overview of the Law
• Law Office Management & Technology
• Legal Research and Writing I
• Legal Research and Writing II
• Real Estate Law
• Tort Law

What topics are offered for the online certificate program?

Students in this self-paced online program will learn:

• The American legal system
• How to conduct legal research and legal interviews
• How to perform legal analyses

We also offer additional online classes for those looking to gain more continuing education in the legal field. The following classes are not required for either program:

• Employment Law Fundamentals
• Legal Nurse Consulting
• Workers’ Compensation
• HIPAA Compliance

 How long does it take to complete the in-class certificate program?

You can complete the 13 required classes for the in-class certificate program in as little as one year by taking at least two classes per session. To earn the Paralegal Certificate, you must complete all 13 classes within 36 months. Classes are offered one day per week for six weeks, with the exception of Law Office Management and Technology (8 weeks).

 How much do these programs cost?

• The cost for the online Paralegal Certificate program is $2,995. Each additional online class (not required) is $149.
• The in-class Paralegal Certificate program is pay-as-you-go. The cost of each class is $279, with the exception of Law Office Management and Technology, which is $379.

Can I complete the Paralegal Certificate program by taking classes both online and in-person?

No, you must choose either the online or the in-class certificate program. The online and in-class programs are not interchangeable.

How likely is it to find a job in this field after graduation?

Both our online and in-class students have been hired by law offices and corporations. Job and internship postings are available exclusively to our in-class Paralegal Certificate program students.

“I appreciated the initial focus on going ahead and building your resume, looking for a job and the different kinds of jobs to look for,” says online graduate Katrina Rowan. “I actually took that advice and was hired by a personal injury firm about halfway through the program.”

“I got an internship at a law firm through KSU. I am [also] employed as a paralegal at a criminal defense firm,” says in-class graduate Christopher Alston.

“I have already been hired as a paralegal in an insurance defense firm thanks to the job posting I received from KSU,” says in-class graduate Vicki Porter.