For 45 years, Roosevelt University's ABA-approved paralegal studies program has produced graduates ready to have immediate impact inside a firm or other legal environment. Roosevelt-trained paralegal professionals are knowledgeable, effective and a critical part of the legal team.
Paralegals perform substantive legal work under the direct supervision of an attorney. Paralegals must have a knowledge and understanding of legal concepts, because they perform a wide variety of tasks including: conducting interviews with clients and witnesses, gathering facts, researching the law, managing databases, reviewing, analyzing and assembling records and documents, and drafting legal pleadings and discovery items such as complaints and interrogatories and maintaining conflicts of interest systems. Experienced paralegals often accompany counsel during trial and help with document management and organization, witness preparation and research. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
Eight courses are required to earn the certificate. The post-baccalaureate program is a non-credit certificate program. Students must have completed their bachelor’s degree before starting classes in order to be eligible for this program.
For more information on the paralegal profession and the type of work paralegals perform in different practice areas, visit the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and the National Association of Legal Assistants.
For detailed information on the program’s admission process and costs, view Admission section of this page.
To request more information about the paralegal studies program or to speak with a representative of the paralegal studies program, please select the link to request more info or call (312) 281-3186.
Location:
Chicago, Schaumburg
Start Term:
Fall, Fall B, Spring, Spring B
Program Type:
Post-bac
The program's curriculum, which is reviewed and updated regularly to meet American Bar Association guidelines, is composed entirely of law courses. Instruction focuses on procedural and practical aspects of the profession. The program surveys paralegal employers, current students and graduates on a regular basis to receive their insights on the curriculum and the needs of the legal community. The program also receives guidance from its board of advisers, composed of leading educators and members of the legal community.
The program emphasizes civil litigation. Eight courses are required to complete the post-baccalaureate certificate, including seven required courses and one elective course. The seven required courses are: Ethics & Professionalism, Legal Research, Civil Law, Litigation I, Commercial Law, Advanced Litigation & eDiscovery and Legal Writing. The program offers a variety of elective courses in different substantive areas of law such as Intellectual Property, Real Estate, Labor & Employment Law and Legal Technology. Instead of taking a traditional course, students may choose to participate in an internship to fulfill their elective course requirement. Please note: not all elective courses are offered every term.
Recent internship sponsors include:
- Reyes Kurson, Ltd.
- Masters Law Group, LLC
- IL Dept. of Corrections
- Mintel Group, Ltd.
- Chicago Transit Authority
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
- Circuit Court of Cook County
- Center for Disability & Elder Law
- Lawyers Committee for Better Housing
What Differentiates Us
UNIQUE SCHEDULING OPTIONS
In Chicago, we offer a full-time day schedule that can be completed in about 4 1/2 months and a part-time evening schedule, which takes a little over one year to complete. In both schedules, students may begin the program in Fall (classes begin in late August) and Spring (classes begin in mid-January). Students may also begin the part-time evening schedule in March. At our Schaumburg campus, we offer a schedule that begins each Fall (late August) and can be completed in nine months taking classes only on Saturdays and online. Program classes are offered in a combination of traditional on-campus classes, fully online classes and hybrid classes. Pursuant to ABA guidelines, students must take at least nine semester hours or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction. Due to COVID-19 concerns, all paralegal classes are currently being offered remotely through a combination of live Zoom sessions and asynchronous instruction through Blackboard.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
We offer lifetime career development assistance within the program, which includes: an online job system in which employers post open positions and students and graduates can post their resume; one-on-one career advising by a legal professional; professional development workshops; and a career and job search manual specifically for the paralegal profession.
EXPERT FACULTY
Experienced attorneys and other legal professionals, including a circuit court judge and an experienced paralegal, teach our classes.
HONORS SOCIETY
Roosevelt University maintains a chapter of Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX), a national paralegal honor society founded by the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE). Members are inducted in April and October of each year and receive a commemorative certificate and membership pin. Their names are entered into the permanent records of the Lambda Epsilon Chi national paralegal honor society.
Expectations & Requirements
Standards
Students will know legal terminology, concepts and procedures, and will gain skills to draft a variety of legal documents. Students learn how to conduct legal research, both manually and online using Lexis and Westlaw (commonly used legal databases). They will learn about litigation support and e-discovery applications. Students will also be better prepared for the rigors of law school and may participate in an internship course as part of their curriculum.
Sample Courses
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Litigation I
- Advanced Litigation & eDiscovery
- Commercial Law
- Legal Technology
- Intellectual Property
- Paralegal Internship
- Real Estate
Outcomes
Distinguished Alumni
Career Paths
Preparation for Law School
Employment Rates
More Opportunities
Alumni Paralegal Studies Affinity Group
The Paralegal Studies Program has its own Alumni Group. This group hosts career and social networking events throughout the year. These events provide excellent opportunities for program students, graduates, faculty and staff to get together for networking and professional development training.
Testimonials
"My role also allows me to mediate various case types, from Stalking No Contact Orders to fee disputes. We work to create a safe space for the parties to discuss their conflict, but we also hope to empower them during the session."
Chinanita Leslie
BA English '17, Paralegal Certificate '18, MA Conflict and Mediation '20,
"While it took many years of hard work, dedication and time to get to this point, I now know that I am an important contributor to our attorneys, clients and the end result – securing justice."
Mirena Fontana
2012
Senior Paralegal, Romanucci & Blandin, LLC
Admission Info
Eight courses are required to earn the certificate. The post-baccalaureate program is a non-credit certificate program. Students must have completed their bachelor’s degree before starting classes in order to be eligible for this program.
Applicants apply directly to the paralegal studies program. The following information is needed:
- Official transcripts from other colleges and universities you have attended. Transcripts should be forwarded to:
Roosevelt University
Office of Admission Processing
1400 N. Roosevelt Blvd
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Email: admissionforms@roosevelt.edu
Phone: 877-277-5978 - A 200-300 word statement of intent, presenting your reasons for wanting to attend the program. Your statement can be downloaded into your online application or emailed to clausen@roosevelt.edu
- A completed and signed post-baccalaureate certificate application form. The application form must be completed online.
Once the program receives all of the above items, applicants will receive a response by email, usually within two weeks.
For any questions regarding the application process, please email Carrie Lausen at clausen@roosevelt.edu.
Your bachelor's degree can be in any discipline, but it must be from an accredited institution. An overall GPA of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 is suggested for admission to the program. A personal interview or letters of recommendation may be requested after an application has been reviewed.
Transfer Credit
If you have taken paralegal courses at another ABA-approved paralegal program, you may be able to transfer up to 12 semester hours of paralegal courses toward the requirements in our program. The courses need to have been taken no longer than six years prior to the date on which you enroll in our program.
Deadlines and start dates
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and acceptance is subject to space availability. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible in advance of the semester in which they wish to start. An applicant may apply up to one year in advance from the date of intended enrollment. Students seeking financial aid (student loans) are urged to apply as early as possible so that financing aspects are worked out prior to registration. Start dates for each schedule option are listed below:
- Full-time day schedule: January or August
- Part-time evening schedule: January, March or August
- Schaumburg Campus course schedule: August
Appeals of Admission Decisions
Applicants who disagree with an admission decision may appeal the decision. Appeals must be in writing and submitted to the program director within 60 days of the date of the letter that informed the applicant of an admission decision. Appeals are reviewed by the program's appeal committee, which consists of members of the program's administration, faculty and the college dean.
Tuition and Fees
View tuition and fees of Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies program