Paralegal certificate programs, intended for those who already hold a college degree, vary more widely depending on prior education and the intensity of the program. (See a list of recommended programs here.) Schools typically offer more skill-based subjects geared for maximum value in a real-world work setting, rather than theory-based classes.

Some of these subjects are:

• Torts & Personal Injury
• Contracts
• Professional Responsibility & Legal Ethics
• Legal Research, Writing & Civil Litigation
• Criminal Law
• Real Property
• Wills, Trusts & Estates
• Patents, Trademarks & Copyrights
• Business Law & Bankruptcy
• Constitutional Law & Criminal Procedure
• Domestic Relations
• Alternative Dispute Resolution

Kaplan College’s ABA-approved program, available at its Denver campus, is a good example of this, as well as the online post-baccalaureate certificate program at Kaplan University and US Career Institute's distance-learning certificate program. Click to see what programs are available in your area.