Certificate in Paralegal Studies

For current traditional and accelerated students only

If you are interested in adding this certificate program to your studies while at Concordia, please see your academic and career advisor or add the certificate by using the "Major/Minor Change" form in the portal.

For prospective students who already have a degree

If you are interested in this certificate program and already have an associates or bachelor's degree from Concordia or another accredited institution, you may apply at any point in the year. No need to wait!

1. Submit your non-degree online application
2. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be sent directly to admissions. 

You will receive an email and phone call from your helpful Admission Counselor about next steps. When your application file is complete, it will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. With most programs students will be required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above from regionally accredited institutions of higher learning.

**Exceptions to the above admission criteria may be granted through the conditional admission process. For additional information, please contact your Admissions Counselor.

1. Legal and Christian Ethics. Students will interpret and apply the ethical rules and concerns in the legal profession.

1.1 Students will be able to interpret and apply the rules of professional conduct, including the American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct and those adopted by the States of Wisconsin or Michigan, as applicable.  

1.2 Students will be able to evaluate ethical rules and concerns in the context of Christian legal professionals. 

1.3 Students will demonstrate professionalism and civility through conduct consistent with the legal profession’s values and standards. 

2. Critical Thinking and Reasoning. Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in performing legal reasoning, analysis, and problem solving. 

2.1 Students will be able to critically read legal authorities (such as constitutions, statutes, regulations, and cases) to identify relevant legal rules and applicable public policies. 

2.2. Students will be able identify relevant legal issues arising from factual scenarios and argue opposing positions on the identified issues. 

2.3 Students will be able to apply legal thinking process to synthesis legal rules with facts to project likely outcomes. 

3. Professional Language Skills. Students will be able to use appropriate legal language and terminology in procedural and substantive contexts competently and precisely. 

3.1 Students will be able to discern and describe the American legal system, including sources of American law, the judicial system, and numerous areas of procedural and substantive areas of laws. 

3.2 Students will be able to identify the functions of law in American society, how they relate to corresponding legal research material, the legislative process, and the judicial structure and system. 

4. Legal Research and Communication. Students will be able to research and communicate effectively about legal matters both orally and in writing. 

4.1 Students will be able to develop and apply legal research and writing skills incorporating fact gathering and issue identification. 

4.2 Students will be able to locate primary and secondary legal authorities using various modes and methods. 

4.3 Students will be able to recognize and compare various legal authorities for the preparation of legal memoranda of law, briefs, and forms in various writing styles. 

4.4 Students will be able to cite applicable legal authorities appropriately. 

4.5 Students will be able to design research plans and implement them in consideration of time and resource constraints. 

4.5 Students will prepare a variety of practice-based and legal documents, accurately prepare legal forms, and summarize legal documents in an organized, reasoned, and professional manner. 

5. Conflict Management and Resolution. Students will be able to collaborate with others for the promotion of formal and informal dispute resolution. 

5.1 Students will be able to develop and implement plans for resolving client issues with consideration of the client’s goals, available legal options, and the client’s best interests. 

5.2 Students will be able to identify and distinguish between forms of alternative dispute resolution with a comprehension of advantages and disadvantages of each.