Paralegal Certificate

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Paralegal education prepares students to assist with substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney or to work in a law-related setting such as in corporate compliance, contracts administration, and the court system. Hamline’s Graduate Paralegal Certificate is approved by the American Bar Association for the training of paralegals.

Note: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to clients or to the public, except as permitted by law. A paralegal certificate does not qualify the recipient to sit for the bar examination or work as a lawyer.

Certificate Requirements

Paralegal Certificate Application Requirements

Completed application (no fee for U.S. residents).
Official transcripts from all colleges attended. You must have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S., with a GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or a comparable degree from an officially recognized college or university outside of the U.S. Transcripts should be sent directly from the institution to Graduate Admission or provided in the original sealed envelope. Transcripts are not required for coursework taken at Hamline University.
You can submit a graduate admission test score (e.g., GMAT, GRE, or LSAT) or narrative explaining at least two years applicable professional experience.
A two-page personal statement detailing: 1) why you are pursuing the Paralegal Certificate at Hamline University, 2) how this program will help you meet your career goals, and 3) any applicable professional and/or educational experience.
Professional résumé.
If you have a GPA of 2.5-2.9, you may still be considered for admission. Please also provide:
- A one- to two-page narrative to help the admissions committee assess your academic history and qualifications, in the context of the high standards for academic performance in our program.
- Two letters of recommendation written by people unrelated to you, who are familiar with your academic and/or professional history and who can accurately assess your potential for successful graduate study. Letters must be sent directly to Graduate Admission by the person writing the recommendation.
English language testing is necessary if English is not your native language. You can demonstrate your English proficiency in one of the following ways: 1) A minimum score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 600 (paper-based format), 250 (computer-based) or 100 (iBT); or 2) A minimum score of 7.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or 3) A minimum score of 90 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). Please note: Scores more than two years old are not accepted.

Note:

The 20 credit paralegal certificate fulfills the core of Hamline’s Master in the Study of Law (MSL) program. By completing an additional 14 credits of coursework in one of four concentrations, students who earn the certificate can finish the MSL.