Paralegal Program - FAQ

What is a paralegal? 

A paralegal is a person qualified by education, training, or work experience who performs substantive legal work that would otherwise be done by attorneys. Paralegals are qualified to perform their responsibilities by completing an educational program, receiving training on the job, or through actual work experience. Paralegals always work under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney.

Where do paralegals work?

Seventy percent of paralegals work in law firms.  Others work for corporate legal departments, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.  Paralegals are found in all types of organizations and the type of work they do is as diverse as the organizations in which they work.

Who should take this course?
 
This course is designed for people who want to enter the legal field, those who are currently employed in the legal field, people who are considering going to law school, foreign attorneys who want to work in the legal field in the U.S., and people who want a career change.

What are the prerequisites to take the paralegal course? 

There are no educational prerequisites to take the paralegal course. In terms of employment, there are many successful paralegals who do not have degrees. Of course, the more education you have, the better, in terms of employability.

Basic computer skills are vital in the paralegal profession and necessary for the class.

What is the class schedule?

The UHD Paralegal Program is offered on the weekends. Classes start at 9:00am and end at 5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, for a total of 18 class days.

 

Are any of the classes provided online?

Yes.  We offer both a hybrid program and a fully-online program.  In the hybrid version, students will attend Saturday classes in person at UHD and Sunday classes online using Zoom. Zoom classes include live instruction and provide critical opportunities to practice paralegal skills both individually and in groups.  In the fully-online version, all classes will meet online using Zoom.  The coursework for both versions is identical.

How many classes can I miss?
 
Because this program is comprehensive and fast-paced, students should not miss any days. Students may, however, miss a total of two days and still get a certificate, as long as they maintain a passing grade average and complete the required field work.  If you miss more than two days, for any reason, you must retake the entire program in another semester to get a certificate.
 
How much does the course cost?
 
Tuition for the course is $4,495. There are no required textbooks for the class.
 
Is financial aid available?

The traditional or FAFSA-based financial aid is not available for paralegal students because this course is a not-for-credit course. This means that the training you receive in this course is sufficient on its own, and is not part of a degree plan.

However, payment via installments is an option:

• Installment payment plans (contact our office for more information - 713-221-8032)

ABA stands for American Bar Association. The ABA accredits law schools and offers approval for some kinds of paralegal programs. The ABA is a professional organization and lawyers may, but are not required to, join the ABA by paying a membership fee to join the ABA.

Does the ABA have to approve all paralegal programs?

No. The ABA started offering ABA approval to paralegal programs when free-standing paralegal schools were being established. At that time, the ABA did not offer ABA approval to paralegal certificate programs at four-year universities because universities are already accredited by Higher Education Coordinating Boards.  Our graduates have never found this to be an impediment to legal employment because the UHD Program is accredited by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and has an excellent reputation in the legal community.

What is the State Bar of Texas?

The State Bar of Texas is the body that oversees all attorneys who are licensed to practice law in Texas. 

Does the State Bar of Texas approve paralegal programs in Texas?

 
No, but the State Bar of Texas does have standards for paralegals. The State Bar of Texas encourages attorneys to hire paralegals who have:

• A bachelor's or higher degree in any field together with a minimum of one  year of employment experience performing substantive legal work under the direct supervision of a duly licensed attorney AND completion of 15 hours of Continuing Legal Education within that year; or
• A certificate of completion from an ABA-approved program of education and training for paralegals; or
• A certificate of completion from a paralegal program administered by any college or university accredited or approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or its equivalent in another state.

Do students have access to any legal software programs or legal research tools?

Yes. Students have access to Westlaw’s electronic legal research platform during the course, as well as Form Builder Document Production software and an electronic subscription to the O’Connor’s library of legal resources.

How much time should students expect to spend on homework during the course?

While time studying and completing homework varies, most students spend 10 - 30 hours a week on homework and preparing for tests.

What are the grade requirements for passing the course?

Students must achieve an average of 70 or above in the program in order to earn a UHD Paralegal Certificate. 

What makes the UHD Paralegal Program different?
 

The UHD Paralegal Program's curriculum is specifically designed to offer skills-based paralegal training so that you can hit the ground running when you start your first paralegal job. You will complete field work, draft legal documents, conduct client interviews, and do substantive legal research projects as part of your coursework. You will also learn legal vocabulary so that you can understand and participate in conversations in legal workplaces and learn about a wide range of practice areas directly from experienced lawyers and paralegals who are experts in their respective fields.