Category 1 – Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Studies ¹

Enrollment in or graduation from a paralegal or legal studies program that meets one of the criteria listed in sections (a) through (e) below.

(a) a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association; or

(b) an associate degree program in paralegal studies; or

(c) a post-baccalaureate certificate program in paralegal studies ²; or
(In addition to the official school transcript, candidates must submit an original course catalog or an original letter from the school registrar or program director attesting that the program is a post-baccalaureate certificate program requiring a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite.)

(d) a bachelor’s degree program in paralegal studies; or

(e) a paralegal program which consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) ³ of which at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) ⁴ are substantive legal courses. ⁵

¹Candidates applying under Category 1 may combine college hours from more than one institution, as applicable.

² In addition to the official school transcript, candidates must submit an original course catalog or an original letter from the school registrar or program director attesting that the program is a post-baccalaureate certificate program requiring a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite.

³ 900 clock hours of a paralegal program will be considered equivalent to 60 semester hours. 90 quarter hours of a paralegal program will be considered equivalent to 60 semester hours.

⁴ 225 clock hours of substantive legal courses will be considered equivalent to 15 semester hours. 22.5 quarter hours of legal courses will be considered equivalent to 15 semester hours.

⁵ The candidate must have graduated from a paralegal program consisting of a minimum of 15 semester hours (or 225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours.) Evidence of the minimum hours required under Category 1(e) must be provided with the application form.

Note: Certain legal studies programs may qualify. To confirm, please forward your transcript to testing@nala.org.

Category 1 – Paralegal Studies

1Candidates applying under Category 1 may combine college hours from more than one institution, as applicable.

2 In addition to the official school transcript, candidates must submit an original course catalog or an original letter from the school registrar or program director attesting that the program is a post-baccalaureate certificate program requiring a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite.

3 900 clock hours of a paralegal program will be considered equivalent to 60 semester hours. 90 quarter hours of a paralegal program will be considered equivalent to 60 semester hours.

4 225 clock hours of substantive legal courses will be considered equivalent to 15 semester hours. 22.5 quarter hours of legal courses will be considered equivalent to 15 semester hours.

5 The candidate must have graduated from a paralegal program consisting of a minimum of 15 semester hours (or 225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours.) Evidence of the minimum hours required under Category 1(e) must be provided with the application form.

¹Candidates applying under Category 1 may combine college hours from more than one institution, as applicable.

² In addition to the official school transcript, candidates must submit an original course catalog or an original letter from the school registrar or program director attesting that the program is a post-baccalaureate certificate program requiring a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite.

³ 900 clock hours of a paralegal program will be considered equivalent to 60 semester hours. 90 quarter hours of a paralegal program will be considered equivalent to 60 semester hours.

⁴ 225 clock hours of substantive legal courses will be considered equivalent to 15 semester hours. 22.5 quarter hours of legal courses will be considered equivalent to 15 semester hours.

⁵ The candidate must have graduated from a paralegal program consisting of a minimum of 15 semester hours (or 225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours.) Evidence of the minimum hours required under Category 1(e) must be provided with the application form.