Paralegal Online Program

The Duke Online Global Paralegal Program is a 300-hour course of study designed to train students in the aspects of the paralegal profession. The program merges the interactive, user-driven aspects of the Internet with a comprehensive paralegal curriculum. It teaches students form manipulation based on any template and instructs students in foundational skillsets. In addition, the online Writing Lab included in the program contains step-by-step instructions for preparing documents specific to the United States at a state and federal court level. As a result, the skillsets learned are transferable throughout the United States and, as such, students will learn to create valid legal documents for their jurisdiction. Instructors will provide additional state-specific guidance as needed. 

Note: The curriculum is based on the United States legal system, therefore focuses on the role of paralegals in the United States. 

The following is the course curriculum for the online program. 

Essential Skills for Paralegals - 156 hours 

Fundamentals of the Profession

• Introduction to the Legal Field 
  Students will learn what kind of job opportunities exist and what tasks a paralegal may perform.
• Legal Terminology
  By presenting an actual legal matter and following it throughout the legal process, students are introduced to the most relevant legal terms. The case presented is tracked through both the civil and criminal court procedures.
• Resume Preparation
  Students will receive instruction in preparing resumes and cover letters, as well as tips for interviewing.
• Strategies for Employment
  Multiple strategies for seeking employment will be discussed, including traditional and non-traditional methods.

Evidence and Investigation

• Stages of Litigation
  The three stages of the litigation process are presented, and the functions a paralegal may perform during each stage are discussed.
• Evidence
  Students discuss various forms of evidence, including direct, circumstantial, oral, physical, and hearsay. The elements of admissibility are presented, as are the procedures for presentation of evidence to the court.
• Interview Clients
  Specific techniques will be presented and discussed for conducting client interviews.
• Law Office Investigation
  Skip tracing, formal and informal witness statements, the obtaining of public documents, and other investigative matters are presented.

Legal Research and Writing (Part 1)

• Index Research
  Students will learn the "hierarchical structure" of legal indexes and will learn to efficiently utilize these fundamental research tools.
• Legal Analysis
  Students will develop the skills to analyze both case law and statutory authority, including the modified IRAC method.
• Legal Memorandum Form
  After learning the analytical process, students will analyze cases and statutes. Students will then be taught how to create a legal memorandum.
• Blue Book Citation Form
  Students will learn the system of legal citation. Duke Global Paralegal students are also provided with access to the online Citation Labs that help them learn, step by step, how to create valid citations.

Pleadings and Discovery

• Pleading Preparation
  Students will study pleadings and will prepare a complaint as well as a summons.
• Discovery Preparation
  Students will be taught to create sets of Interrogatories, Requests for Admissions, and Request for Production and Inspection of Documents.
• Discovery Coordination
  Students will learn the rules relevant to discovery and will learn how to track both sent and received discovery documents.
• Preparing for Depositions
  Students will study various considerations for deposition setup.
• Deposition Digesting
  Students will be provided with a deposition transcript and will be taught to summarize that document.

Legal Research and Writing (Part 2)

• Utilization of Legal Forms
  Students will learn to manipulate templates and utilize formbooks. To facilitate this process in an online environment, students have access to our very powerful Legal Writing Labs that provide interactive forms and eLectures (corresponding audio guidance). The Writing Labs are like having an instructor looking over your shoulder helping you with your assignments!
• Authority Identification
  The class will learn to identify primary, secondary, mandatory, persuasive, and non-authority.
• Legal Research Skills
  By using hands-on, interactive training devices, students will learn proper law library utilization: how to locate primary authority, how to use secondary sources, how to update research sources, how to validate authority using Shepard's, and how to utilize specific legal materials. Students will be trained in The Key Number System and the Total Client Service. In addition, students will be able to utilize the Legal Research Labs, including the Law Library Lab, Westlaw Lab, and Lexis Lab.
• Duke University Paralegal students are provided with training and access to Westlaw and Lexis.

Motion Practice

• Motions, Notices, and Briefs
  Students will be introduced to various forms of motions and will be required to prepare a motion, notice, and brief.
• File Maintenance
  Proper file maintenance is discussed. Students will be required to assemble all documents created in the class into a client file or evaluation.

The Legal Environment

The Law Office

• Law Office Etiquette
  Students will learn how to properly present themselves in a law office environment, including dress considerations, telephone tips, and a discussion of office politics.
• File Maintenance
  Students will learn how to create and maintain a client file.
• Tickler and Calendaring Systems
  The class will discuss various forms of reminder systems for important due dates, and both hard-copy and computer-based calendaring methods.
• Billable Hours
  Student will learn the importance of keeping track of billable hours.

Legal Ethics

• ABA Rules of Ethics
  Students will become familiar with the ABA Rules that guide the ethical behavior of attorneys and will discuss how these rules affect paralegals in their day-to-day lives.
• Law Office Ethics
  Students will be taught to maintain a high ethical standard. To facilitate the learning process, students will be presented with ethical scenarios and potential pitfalls to avoid.
• Legal Advice
  The class will be instructed in rules preventing a paralegal from providing legal advice and will discuss what does and does not constitute such advice.
• Legal Representation
  Students will learn about the rules restricting paralegal representation, and will be presented with exceptions to these rules.

State Courts

• General State Court Structure
  Local and state trial and appellate courts will be discussed, including how to access filing procedures for specific courts. Since court structure is very similar from state to state, understanding the foundations of state court structure will be beneficial to students from any location.
• Court Rules
  Students are taught the most frequently used court rules and are also taught the skills necessary for finding any rule for specific procedural questions. Accessing court rules is an almost universal process and students will be able to access court rules in whichever jurisdiction they reside.

Federal Courts

• Government Structure
  Students will learn the structure of government and the laws that apply to each branch.
• Federal Court Structure
  Students will be instructed in the basic differences between state and federal jurisdiction, as well as the federal trial and appellate jurisdictions. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure will be introduced.

Legal Technology

• Electronic Legal Research Skills
  Students will learn how to create computer queries in order to use Westlaw and Lexis.  Students will also be presented with individual access to LexisNexis and Westlaw online legal research.
• Electronic Discovery
  Students will learn the procedures for exchanging discovery documents digitally.

Substantive Legal Studies - 144 hours

Choose two of four possible course offerings:

• Contract Law
• Tort Law
• Criminal Law
• Business Organizations
• Family Law

There are several national and state organizations offering optional certification exams for paralegals, including the state of North Carolina.  Paralegals do not need to be certified in order to be employed in the profession.

Note that the Duke Paralegal Online program is not considered a qualified program for the NC Paralegal Certification exam, as the NC State Bar does not recognize “online-only” formats of any program as qualified. Therefore, the graduate of an  online paralegal program is not eligible to sit for the State of NC paralegal certification exam. 

Students may qualify for the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) examinations.  Please visit their websites for more information:

NALA: https://www.nala.org/certification

NFPA: http://www.paralegals.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=1

Eligibility

To be considered for admission, candidates for this program must meet the following requirements. Please note that students must attest in the Program Policy that the first four requirements are true in their case.

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be fluent in the English language (including speaking, reading, and writing).
• Possess word processing and internet skills.
• Have an email account and regular access to a computer.
• Hold either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution
• After being approved and upon registration in the program, be able to pay the tuition fee in full or in accordance with the loan options as described below. Payment can be made online 24/7 with a credit card or can be made by cashier’s check or money order made payable to Duke University. Student loans are another option for funding. Please see the funding sources in the Tuition & Funding section for more information about loans and government payment options. Duke Continuing Studies must be notified of approved loans.

Transcripts:  Duke Continuing Studies will not allow any student to begin the Paralegal Online Certificate Program until receipt of an official transcript showing that the student has earned either a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. (Additional transcripts are not required). Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution conferring the degree, either via mail or electronically. Duke Continuing Studies will not accept transcripts directly from the student.

Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, our staff are working from home. Therefore, we strongly urge you to have your transcript submitted electronically to paralegalonline@duke.edu. Please note that if transcripts must be sent by mail, it may be months before we are able to have access to them.

Duke Continuing Studies reserves the exclusive right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to withhold registration or require withdrawal from the program of any student or applicant.

Certificate Completion Requirements

Students are required to demonstrate a mastery of the material in each segment before progressing to the next. Mastery is documented through both writing assignments and the successful completion of online exams given for each segment. Additionally students must pass three comprehensive exams at the end of the Essential Skills portion of the program.  Students must achieve both an 80% in the Essential Skills portion and an 80% as the cumulative grade in the two substantive areas of law. 

Students are assigned an instructor who will communicate regularly with students, be available to answer questions, and help with any problems the student might encounter. The instructor will track the student's progress through the program, grade all work, and give final approval over program completion. Students who successfully complete the program will earn the Duke Paralegal Studies Certificate only with approval from their instructor.

Because this is a non-credit program, students are not assigned a final grade in the course. Transcripts will be issued upon request with all course work marked either "complete" or "incomplete". A certificate will be mailed to students who complete all course work in accordance with the program policy and who have paid their tuition in full.

Extensions

Students must complete the program within 12 months of the enrollment date. Any student who wishes to be granted an extension beyond their 12 month completion date must submit a written request to the program manager (email is acceptable). Approval is at the full discretion of the Program Manager. If approval is granted, the student will receive a one-time extension for 3 months, and no further requests for an extension will be considered.

Technical requirements

Students wishing to enroll in the program must have a computer (IBM Compatible PC or Apple Macintosh) with the following:

• Internet Access
• Internet Browser (Google Chrome is prefered)
• E-mail
• Adobe Acrobat Reader and Flash
• Microsoft Office Word or other word processing software

Applications can only be submitted via the online application that is available on this website. Applications submitted in any other form will not be accepted.

Prior to Applying:

• Complete the Test Drive on the student web site or request a recording of an Information Session webinar by emailing paralegalonline@duke.edu .
• Read the Payment Information and Refund Policy below.
• Apply online using our secure electronic application.

1. Submit the online application and pay the $25 non-refundable application fee. The green 'Apply Now' button in the right-hand column takes you to the required electronic application. If you are a new user, you will be guided to create a profile. After filling out your profile and the application, when you are prompted to pay the application fee, check the email account that you entered for your profile to access messages containing your username and password.

2. Submit your supplemental documents to the Program Manager

• Résumé
• Reference Letter (must be sent to Duke directly from the writer of letter, not from student; reference can be personal, academic or work-related). Personal references cannot come from a member of the student's immediate family.
• Signed Program Policy (will be emailed to student upon application)
• Signed NC Resident Statement (for NC Residents ONLY) (will be emailed to student upon application)

Due to the current pandemic, we are only able to accept supplemental documents via email. Please send to paralegalonline@duke.edu.

All supplemental documents should be emailed to paralegalonline@duke.edu within two weeks of submitting the online application.

Applicant files are reviewed to determine approval, and students are notified of their admission status, within 5 business days of receiving all supplemental documents. Please note that submission of an application and payment of the application fee is not a guarantee of admission to the program.

Applicants who are approved will continue through the enrollment process and complete steps 3 and 4.

3. Arrange for an official college transcript showing degree earned be sent to Duke Continuing Studies. Duke Continuing Studies will not allow any student to begin the Paralegal Online Certificate Program until receipt of an official transcript showing that the student has earned either a bachelor’s or associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution. (Additional transcripts are not required). Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution conferring the degree, either via mail or electronically. Duke Continuing Studies does not accept transcripts directly from the student. 

For degrees earned outside of the US, proof of equivalency to a US degree will need to be provided by World Education Services (WES) or another appropriate organization in place of a transcript. The student is responsible for contacting this organization and arranging for the equivalence letter to be sent to Duke Continuing Studies.

4. Register for the program and pay tuition.

Admission

Please note that submission of an application and payment of the application fee is not a guarantee of admission to the program.

Admission to the program is discretionary, and please note that submission of an application and payment of the application fee is not a guarantee of admission to the program. Admitted students are Duke University Continuing Studies students and not matriculated Duke University students; therefore, Duke University student privileges do not apply.

Registration

Registration is ongoing; therefore, students can begin the program when it is convenient for them!  Please not that registration is not available June 24 - June 30 annually due to the close of the fiscal year for the university.

Note: our enrollment/registration system is a separate system from that of your online training. Your access to the online program does not happen automatically upon enrollment. Please allow a time delay of up to 5 business days to receive details via email regarding you online access. This delay will not impact your completion time for the program.

To enroll:

• Register for this program and pay in full.
• Within five business days, you will receive an email with login instructions.
  • Please note personal email accounts are preferred as they are less likely to trigger fire walls and spam filters.
• Log in and begin coursework.
  • Please note that the 12 months of access begins on the date your access email is emailed to you. No delayed starts will be permitted. We do add a two week grace period to the 12 months access to give the student time to order textbooks.

Registration Methods

1. Register Online using a credit card with our secure, real-time registration system. Add the course to your shopping cart and follow the instructions for checking out.
2. Register by Phone at 919-684-6259 during our business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm EST) to register.

Is this program affiliated with any other office at Duke University?

This program is not affiliated with any other Duke office. It is offered exclusively through Duke Continuing Studies in a collaboration with the Institute of Career Development (ICD). 

Does Duke faculty serve as instructors/mentors/subject matter experts in the program?

For programs that include such features (not all do) we have chosen as instructors to use individuals who practice, and in many cases are certified, in the subject matter area being taught to enrich the professional working adult learning experience.

Is the curriculum designed only for residents of the State of North Carolina?

No. The Duke Paralegal Online Program was designed with a national audience in mind. While the classroom-based program and the online program share a similar curriculum, the online program does not focus on North Carolina laws or procedures, but uses examples from a variety of different states. The skills and knowledge that you will acquire during the program will be transferable to any paralegal position in the United States. As well, the program is housed entirely online, so students can complete the program from anywhere in the world.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Students have up to one year to complete the program from their start date, which is the date they are emailed their login access to the online program. However, because the program is student-driven, some students are able to finish the program earlier than the 12-month deadline.

How is the program designed?

The program is comprised of two main parts, Essential Skills and substantive courses. Students first complete the six-part Essential Skills portion of the program. Upon its successful completion, students choose two of five substantive courses. When all course work is successfully complete, the instructor will notify the program manager and the student will be sent a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Duke University’s Office of Continuing Studies.

What are some of the advantages to the Duke Online Paralegal Program?

• Self-paced, online program allows flexibility and convenience to complete the program in one year
• Website support includes lecture notes, writing labs, video tutorials, quizzes, and mock exams
• Templates and writing labs available for all 50 states so students can apply their knowledge to their locale
• Instructors, who are experienced, practicing attorneys, work one-on-one with students throughout the program to answer student questions, and grade assignments and exams
• Customized learning experience allows students to choose two of five disciplines of the law to study in addition to Essential Skills
• Curriculum created for paralegals by paralegals to teach the skills most sought after and in demand within the legal industry
• Access to Lexis Advance and Westlaw Next legal research sites with video tutorials about how to use them
• Paralegal Certificate awarded from Duke Continuing Studies upon successful program completion
• Graduate site provides access to online resources, tutorials, and templates for up to a year after program completion

What happens if I don’t complete the program in one year?

While one year is a sufficient amount of time to complete the program, some students do not complete the program by their deadline. If students need an extension, they must submit a written request to the Program Director for approval. Approval is at the full discretion of the Program Director. If approval is granted, the student will receive a one-time extension for three months and no further requests for an extension will be considered.

When can I enroll?

The Duke Online Global Paralegal Program accepts applications throughout the year except between June 24 and June 30 due to the close of the fiscal year. There is no specific application period.

What are the application prerequisites?

To be considered for admission, candidates for this program must meet the following requirements. Please note that students must attest in the Program Policy that the first four requirements are true in their case.

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be fluent in the English language (including speaking, reading, and writing).
• Possess word processing and internet skills.
• Have an email account and regular access to a computer.
• Hold either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution.
• After being approved and upon registration in the program, be able to pay the tuition fee in full or in accordance with the payment plan loan options as described below. Payment can be made online 24/7 with a credit card or can be made by cashier’s check or money order made payable to Duke University. Student loans are another option for funding. Please see the funding sources in the Tuition & Funding section for more information about loans and government payment options. Duke Continuing Studies must be notified of approved loans by the established registration deadline.

Duke Continuing Studies reserves the exclusive right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to withhold registration or require withdrawal from the program of any student or applicant.

What is the amount of tuition for the program?

The online paralegal program tuition fee is $6,995. Books are not included in the tuition and are an additional $500- $625.

Do I pay Duke Continuing Studies for my books?

No. Students are responsible for purchasing their own books. A booklist is available upon registration.

Do I have to pay tuition all at once?

Yes. Tuition is due in full at the time of registration.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. There are a number of different options available for funding. As a non-credit/non-degree program, students cannot use federal financial aid. However, Duke Continuing Studies accepts Continuing Education student loans. For more information, look to the Tuition and Funding Sources section below. Please be advised that the online program is NOT approved for the use of VA benefits.

Should I include the cost of books with my tuition when applying for a loan?

No. Since we do not include books in the tuition, Duke Continuing Studies can only certify (approve) the exact amount of the tuition. Any loan amount in excess of the tuition will not be certified.

Can I apply for federal funding or FAFSA?

No. The Duke Paralegal Certificate Program is non-credit (not applicable toward a degree) and therefore NOT eligible for federal education loans. Please do not submit FAFSA forms for this program.

Will I have an instructor?

Yes.  At the beginning of the program, each student will be assigned an instructor who is a licensed attorney in the United States.  Students will communicate with their instructor, and the instructor will grade assignments, answer questions, and track the student’s progress through the program.

What kind of research tools will I receive access to?

During the program, all online students receive access to and training on both Westlaw and Lexis, the two main research databases used by most law firms. Tutorials and labs will assist students with Lexis and Westlaw research assignments, and most students will be comfortable and competent using both databases by the end of the program.

Does Duke University provide a 1098-T form for tax credit for tuition?

No. Non-credit programs at Duke Continuing Studies do not generate 1098-T forms, in accordance with the following IRS guideline:

Instructions for Forms 1098-E and 1098-T published by the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, state “You do not have to file Form 1098-T or furnish a statement for: Courses for which no academic credit is offered, even if the student is otherwise enrolled in a degree program…”

What is your refund policy?

We do not offer refunds to students for the online program.

Can I use this program for university credit elsewhere?

No. The Duke Paralegal Certificate Program is a professional non-credit program, which will award you a post-baccalaureate certificate. There are no college credits associated with this certificate program. Therefore, the status of "complete" or "incomplete" are the only notations on the permanent student record.

What will my certificate look like?

Upon a student’s successful completion of the program, the program director will mail the certificate of completion. This Certificate in Paralegal Studies is bestowed by Duke University Continuing Studies, and the certificate does not state that the program is online.

Can I take individual classes, or must the Program be taken in its entirety?

The Online Paralegal Certificate Program must be taken in its entirety. While it is divided into two main parts, Essential Skills and substantives, when students enroll in the program, they are enrolling in the entire program and must complete both parts in order to earn the certificate. Students will have the opportunity to choose the two substantive classes that they wish to complete.

If I take the online program, am I eligible to take the North Carolina State Bar Paralegal Certification (NCCP) exam?

No. Our classroom-based program is NC State Bar approved, but our online program is not. This is because the NC State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification does not approve any online paralegal programs. The NC State Bar Paralegal Certification is not required in order to be a paralegal in the State of North Carolina. Please note that there are national paralegal exams that you may qualify for upon completing the program and earning your certificate.

Will I be able to get a job after completing the program?

Duke Continuing Studies does not offer job placement, job searching, or career services assistance. While we do our best to prepare students for the job market, it is ultimately incumbent upon students to find their own employment upon completion of the program. In addition, you will have a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from one of the top ten universities in the nation. Duke University stands for excellence in education, so law firms all over the U.S. will know you are a well-trained paralegal.

Is your program ABA approved?

The Duke Paralegal Certificate Program has chosen not to pursue ABA approval, as is the case with the majority of paralegal programs. Of the approximately 1,000 paralegal programs nationwide, 267 are ABA approved (The Directory of ABA Approved Paralegal Programs, June 2014). The ABA does not formally “accredit” any paralegal program, but for a fee, the organization will approve programs that meet certain standards. Duke University is ranked in the top ten in the nation, and students can be assured that when attending the Paralegal Program at Duke, they will be receiving an education that meets Duke’s high academic standards.

Tuition: $6995

Tuition must be paid in full prior to beginning the program. The tuition for the program is $6,995. Books are not included in the tuition and are an additional $500 - $625. There are funding options available listed below.

Duke Employee Discount

• $200 off the fee of $6995 (Duke employees pay a fee of $6795).
• Questions: Contact Program Manager at paralegalonline@duke.edu.

Discount must be requested and applied during the registration process and cannot be applied in addition to any other discount that may be offered. You may be asked to verify your status as a Duke employee.

​Group Discount

Do you have a group (Duke or non-Duke entity) interested in training? Contact the Program Manager for details at paralegalonline@duke.edu.

Refunds

There are no refunds for the Online Paralegal Program. Admission is discretionary. Duke Continuing Studies, Professional Certificate Program requires students to be at least 18 years of age and meet minimum suitability standards. Students are not matriculated Duke University students and university student privileges do not apply to Continuing Studies students.

Duke Continuing Studies reserves the exclusive right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to withhold registration or require withdrawal from the program of an applicant or enrolled student.