Legal Certificates Guide and List

Do you want to broaden your legal knowledge or deepen your expertise in a specific legal niche? Would you like to do that without necessarily enrolling in law school? Or are you a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) student looking to enhance the value of your degree? A legal certificate may be an answer.

In as little as one semester and for much less tuition than for a law or master’s degree, a legal certificate may offer you formal recognition for your specialized legal knowledge.

What is a Legal Certificate Program?

A certificate is not the same as certification, which is a professional badge or license for specific occupations. A legal certificate is a broad term that signals advanced legal learning and skills. Schools offer legal certificate programs that can differ greatly. They range from one-week online seminars that accrue continuing legal education credits to certificates that students can earn concurrently with their graduate degrees.

Generally, legal certificates are offered by law schools and require an undergraduate degree. Some programs are designed specifically for students who don’t plan to practice law. Others are aimed at professionals in fields such as engineering or science, where knowledge of intellectual property law and other legal issues may be valuable. Depending on which program a student selects, an externship may be required. Often, a certificate of completion is awarded to candidates when they complete a certificate program.

Types of Legal Certificate Programs

You have a broad range of legal certificate programs to choose from. Some concentrate on a narrow legal niche, such as law and technology or clean energy. Others focus on more general legal fields like corporate law.

Paralegal Certificates and Outcomes

A paralegal certificate is designed specifically for people who work as paralegals or want to become a paralegal—in other words, non-attorneys who handle legal tasks. Take care not to confuse it with a paralegal certification, which signifies that you’ve passed a paralegal exam or met other requirements set by the certifying organization.

There are a number of paralegal education programs that are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Most require a bachelor’s degree to apply, but some are open to students who hold a two-year associate degree or have significant legal work experience.

You can expect to learn about court systems, court procedures, legal ethics, conducting legal research online and more. Some certificate programs incorporate internships for hands-on learning.

Legal Studies Certificates and Outcomes

Designed for people who don’t plan to become licensed attorneys, a legal studies certificate often concentrates on a specific area or industry, such as cybersecurity or bank regulations, offering a thorough understanding of relevant laws and regulations.

Certain universities allow their undergraduates to take extra courses that count toward a legal studies certificate. Other schools allow applications from professionals who intend to pursue careers as paralegals or legal-related occupations.

Certificates in Specific Areas of Law and Outcomes

While there are legal certificates for Master of Legal Studies candidates and non-attorneys, there are also certificate programs for practicing attorneys, as well as Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) students.

Some schools will let you earn multiple legal certificates at the same time. Similarly, some courses may count toward more than one certificate. You can earn certificates in various specialty areas of the law. They include:

•Law and technology

•Environment, energy and natural resources

•Media

•International trade

•Human resources

•Tribal law

•Intellectual property

•Constitutional law

•Entrepreneurship

•Estate planning

•State and local taxation

Pros and Cons of Legal Certificates

Depending on your professional goals, earning a legal certificate can be an investment in your career. Possible advantages of a legal certificate program may include:

•Concentrating your learning in legal topics that matter most to you

•Qualifying to apply whether you’re an undergraduate, enrolled in law school, a practicing attorney or a professional outside the legal field

•Less costly than earning a law degree

•Does not require years of schooling as full degree programs do

But you may find that there are also some drawbacks. One could argue that certificate programs are limited and don’t cover the breadth of knowledge that advanced degree programs are known to. Below, we compare certificate programs with some common legal degree programs to help you weigh the pros and cons of each.

Legal Studies Certificates vs. Master’s Degrees in Legal Studies

A legal certificate can usually be completed in one to three semesters. It often costs less money than a full degree program. You might choose to earn one or more legal certificates by adding extra classes as part of your master’s program.

A master’s degree in legal studies, such as a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) or Master of Science in Legal Studies, is a graduate degree for people who don’t plan to take the bar exam to practice law. You need a bachelor’s degree to earn an MLS, which usually takes one to two years.

Law Certificates vs. Master of Laws (LL.M.)

Lawyers who choose to earn a law certificate may gain a competitive edge. You may be able to earn a law certificate as part of your LL.M. degree, depending on the school.

A Master of Laws (LL.M.) is a one-year, in-depth graduate degree for those who already have a J.D. A Master of Laws is a way for lawyers to hone their expertise in a particular field. Some universities gear their LL.M. programs toward professionals who plan to teach law.

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