By: Emily Fodge
In law, what you know is only half the story. The real challenge is applying it under pressure, on deadline, and with real consequences.
Maybe you’ve found yourself analyzing courtroom scenes on TV, wondering how close they are to reality. Or maybe friends and family have said, “You’d be great in law,” and deep down, you’ve always agreed. You’re the one people rely on to organize the details, solve problems, and keep things moving… but you’ve never had a title for it.
At UCR University Extension, the Paralegal Studies Professional Certificate was built for exactly that kind of curiosity and skill set. The program combines essential legal education with practical insight. And for students ready to put their skills into practice, there’s an optional internship that makes the learning real. You won’t just walk away with coursework complete—you’ll finish with tools you can use, confidence you’ve earned, and a clear next step in your legal career.
Here’s what to expect from the program and why it might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
What to Expect When You Get Started
Most students start with questions: Is this program what employers are looking for? Will it fit my schedule? Am I even ready for this?
The answer to all of those is yes. Here’s why:
The Paralegal Studies Certificate is approved by the American Bar Association. It’s built for adults with busy lives. And it’s taught by working legal professionals—people who understand how the classroom connects to the courtroom, the client meeting, or the motion deadline.
Classes cover everything from legal writing and research to tort law, contracts, civil litigation, and ethics. But our program is built differently: it’s not just what you learn, but how you learn.
After all, legal support happens in motion. Paralegals are in the thick of it—drafting motions, organizing discovery, supporting attorneys, and keeping cases on track. It’s not just about knowing the law. It’s about putting that knowledge to work, again and again, until confidence becomes second nature.
Why This Program Works: 3 Benefits That Set It Apart
1. You Build Legal Skills for the Real World
Some programs are built for short-term memorization. Ours is built for the long haul.
In our carefully designed curriculum, you’re not just learning to pass a test. We’re preparing you for the real work of a paralegal.
Because courses are led by practicing attorneys and paralegals, you get the “this is how it really works” insight that only comes from experience. You’ll walk away knowing you’re learning the right things, the right way.
“Getting my Paralegal Studies Professional Certificate really helped me with the job market. Nearing graduation, lots of employers expressed that it was quite the feat completing my Bachelor’s degree and a professional certificate at the same time. It helped me stand out from other candidates, as well as helping me start in a higher-level role as a Paralegal rather than a legal assistant. I had countless interviews, and FIVE different job offers!”
— Kessie Ng, UCR Paralegal Studies Alumna
2. You Can Choose to Intern and Build Experience Before You Graduate
One of the most valuable pieces of the program is optional: a for-credit internship that places you in a real law office or legal department, where you apply what you’ve learned on live cases.
Our unique internship elective turns classroom knowledge into hands-on skill. Many students say this is the moment their confidence and career direction really come into focus. Instead of just observing, you’ll contribute meaningfully, solve problems, and start to scratch that legal itch you’ve quietly carried with you since your Law & Order phase.
If you're in the Inland Empire or Southern California, UCR can often help place you directly through its vast network of legal contacts—firms and organizations that trust our program and value our students. These aren’t cold calls; they’re established relationships, built over years of collaboration. If you live elsewhere in California, the program team will support you as you find a placement that fits your interests and schedule.
Want to take your skills even further? Learn more about the Paralegal Internship Elective and how it can help you gain hands-on experience before you graduate.
3. You’ll Be Supported by a Team Who Believes in Your Future
This isn’t a program where you sign up and fend for yourself. From enrollment to your final course and even through internship placement, UCR University Extension’s support system is personal and hands-on.
Advisors and instructors are there to guide you through each phase of your journey, especially if it’s your first time in a legal setting or returning to school after time away. You’ll get answers when you need them, encouragement when it counts, and people who genuinely want to see you succeed. We offer support that shows up through emails, office hours, feedback, and moments when it really matters.
“Every UCR University Extension staff member has had an impact on me—and I truly mean that. The program hires people who are top lawyers and paralegals in their fields.”
— Trixy Betsworth, UCR Paralegal Studies Alumna
You Don’t Need a Law Degree to Make an Impact
You need structure. Support. A place to start. And the UC gold standard on your resume.
We see you—the kind of person who secretly gets excited for jury duty. The one who can’t help but pause on Law & Order, who always catches the small detail everyone else missed. Maybe you've got a little Nancy Drew, Sherlock, or Elle Woods in you.
And maybe it's time to do something with it. We’re here to help with that part!
Whether you’re returning to the workforce, changing careers, or finally answering that “what if” you’ve carried for years, UCR University Extension’s Paralegal Studies Certificate helps you take the next step with confidence, clarity, and career-ready skills that stand up in court.