Online Paralegal Certificate Program

The Online Paralegal Certificate Program provides students with a foundational understanding of the law, the legal profession, and the responsibilities of paralegals and legal assistants. Through live, instructor-led classes, students explore essential legal concepts and develop practical skills used to support attorneys in law firms, corporate legal departments, and other legal settings.

Students learn how to conduct legal research, analyze and summarize court cases, draft basic legal documents, and distinguish between civil and criminal law. The course also introduces substantive and procedural law, civil litigation, family law, contracts, torts, professional ethics, and the New York State and federal court systems.

What You'll Learn

1. Legal Systems & Terminology: Understand the differences between civil and criminal law, the New York State and federal court systems, jurisdiction, and commonly used legal terminology.

2. Legal Research & Writing: Learn how to research legal issues, analyze and summarize court cases, prepare case briefs, and use online legal research databases.

3. Civil Litigation: Explore the stages of a civil lawsuit, including pleadings, complaints, motions, and trial procedures. Learn how to draft a basic legal complaint.

4. Contracts & Tort Law: Understand how contracts are formed, the principles of negligence and liability, and common legal defenses.

5. Family Law & Professional Ethics: Gain an introduction to family law while exploring professional responsibilities, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and ethical standards in the legal profession.

6. Legal Technology: Become familiar with online legal research tools, legal billing software, and electronic court filing (e-filing) systems.

Upon successfully completing the Online Paralegal Certificate Program, students will be able to:

• Understand the Role of a Paralegal: Describe the responsibilities of paralegals and legal assistants, including how they support attorneys with legal research, document preparation, and case management.

• Apply Legal Terminology: Identify and explain commonly used legal terms and concepts, including plaintiff, defendant, jurisdiction, cause of action, venue, statutes of limitations, and litigation.

• Analyze Court Cases: Read, analyze, and prepare a case brief summarizing the key facts, legal issues, court decisions, and reasoning.

• Distinguish Between Civil and Criminal Law: Explain the differences between civil and criminal cases, including legal procedures and standards of proof.

• Understand Civil Litigation Procedures: Describe the stages of a civil lawsuit, including pleadings, summonses, complaints, answers, counterclaims, crossclaims, motions, and trial proceedings.

• Draft Basic Legal Documents: Prepare a basic legal complaint and understand the purpose and structure of common legal documents.

• Understand Contract Law: Explain the essential elements of a legally enforceable contract, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and contractual defenses.

• Identify Principles of Tort Law: Describe intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, and common legal defenses.

• Recognize Professional Ethics: Explain ethical responsibilities in the legal profession, including confidentiality, conflicts of interest, professional competence, and the unauthorized practice of law.

• Understand Court Systems: Describe the structure and functions of the New York State and federal court systems.

• Use Legal Technology: Demonstrate foundational skills in using online legal research databases, legal billing software, and electronic court filing (e-filing) systems.

CCNY's Paralegal Certificate Program provides focused, practical training for individuals interested in entering the legal field or strengthening their existing legal knowledge and skills.

Whether you're exploring a new career or already working in a legal environment, this 10-week program introduces essential legal concepts and professional skills used by paralegals and legal assistants.

Through live online instruction with a practicing attorney, students explore legal research and writing, civil litigation, family law, contracts, torts, and professional ethics while gaining an understanding of everyday responsibilities in the legal profession.

Program Benefits Include:

• Learn from a Practicing Attorney: Gain insights from an experienced legal professional.
• Live Online Instruction: Interact with your instructor, ask questions, and participate in class discussions.
• Complete in Just 10 Weeks: Receive 30 hours of structured legal training.
• Practical Legal Skills: Learn legal research, case analysis, and document drafting.
• Convenient Online Format: Attend live classes via Zoom from anywhere.
• Affordable Training: Develop foundational legal skills without committing to a traditional degree program.

A way to build a successful career in law firms, corporate legal departments or government agencies without the debt and long hours required to become an attorney.

The course can introduce students to careers such as

• Paralegal Assistant
• Legal Assistant
• Legal Administrative Assistant
• Litigation Support Assistant
• Legal Research Assistant

Spring 2027 

• Dates: February 25 – May 6, 2027
• Schedule: Thursdays
• Time: 6:00–9:00 p.m. ET
• Course Delivery: Live Online Classes via Zoom

10 Sessions | 30 Instructional hours | 10 Weeks

$725 + $25 registration fee

Total: $750*

*CCNY students, staff, and Alumni Association members receive a 10% discount.
Payment plan options are available to assist with tuition affordability.

Michael Agnello, Esq.

Michael Agnello is a practicing attorney and experienced educator with more than 30 years of experience teaching undergraduate law courses across in-person, online, and hybrid learning environments.

He practices law with Donohue & Partners, representing clients in insurance defense litigation and arbitration matters.

Throughout his academic career, Michael has worked with thousands of students from diverse backgrounds and contributed to academic program development and institutional accreditation initiatives.

He earned his Juris Doctor from New York Law School and his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from St. John's University.