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              Serving Paralegals Since 1982

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              Paralegal Studies Programs

              Acquiring a certificate in paralegal studies is not a required prerequisite to employment in New Jersey but many employers seek certificated candidates while some employers require a degree and/or certification ("CP/CLA") and specialization ("ACP"). Whether you are pursuing a certificate, degree, certification or simply furthering your education, you will find the information below helpful. On this page, you will find both American Bar Association approved** and non-approved programs in paralegal studies available in New Jersey. There are many paralegal education programs throughout the state and the information listed below should assist you in your search for a program that best fits your needs.


              If you require any additional information about the programs listed below, contact the educational institution directly.

              Paralegal Education Programs in New Jersey


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              Atlantic Cape Community College

              Paralegal Program
              5100 Black Horse Pike
              Mays Landing, NJ 08330-2699

              Director: Marilyn Malerba Keiner, Esq.
              Telephone: 609-343-4941
              Fax: 609.343.5122
              Email: keiner@atlantic.edu
              Type of Institution: Public, 2 Year
              Degrees Offered: Associate in Science Degree
              Minimum Length of Time to Complete Program:
              Internships:
              For More Information:
              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.atlantic.edu

              **American Bar Association approved

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              Bergen Community College

              Legal Studies & Paralegal Studies Program
              400 Paramus Road
              Paramus, NJ 07962

              Director: Lawrence A. Joel, Esq.
              Telephone: 201-493-3642
              Fax: 201-599-0179
              Email: ljoel@bergen.edu

              Type of Institution: Public, 2 Year
              Degrees Offered: Associate Degree in Applied Science
              Minimum Length of Time to Complete Program: 2 Years
              Internships:  Cooperative Education Component Required
              For More Information: 
              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.bergen.edu

              **American Bar Association approved

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              Berkeley College

              Legal Studies Program
              44 Rifle Camp Road
              Woodland Park, NJ 07424

              Director: Patricia Greer, Esq.
              Telephone: 973-278-5400, Ext. 1410
              Email:
              pbg@berkeleycollege.edu

              Type of Institution: Private; 2 Year, 4 Year
              Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science Degree; Baccalaureate Degree; Certificate Program
              Minimum Length of Time to Complete Degree Program: 2 Year, 4 Year
              Internships:  Bachelor's Degree-Mandatory; Associate's Degree-Optional; Certificate Program- None.
              For More Information:
              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.berkeleycollege.edu
              External link opens in new tab or windowParalegal Program


              External link opens in new tab or window

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              Brookdale Community College

              Paralegal Technology Program
              765 Newman Springs Road
              Lincroft, NJ 07738-1597

              Director: Michael Sullivan
              Telephone:732-224-2976
              Fax: 732-224-3008
              Email: msullivan@brookdalecc.edu
              Type of Institution:

              Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science Degree; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

              Minimum Length of Time to Complete Program:

              Internships:

              For More Information:

              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.brookdalecc.edu


              **American Bar Association approved

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              Cumberland County College

              Paralegal Studies Program
              3322 College Drive
              Vineland, NJ 08360

              Director: Mary Herlihy Fay
              Telephone: 856-691-8600, ext 1290
              Fax: 609-691-9489
              Email: mherlihy@cccnj.edu

              Type of Institution: Public, 2 Year
              Degrees Offered: Associate in Science
              Minimum Length of Time to Complete
              Program: 2 Years
              Internships: Mandatory
              For More Information:
              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.cccnj.edu

              Click to edit

              Essex County College

              Paralegal Studies Program

              303 University Avenue

              Newark, NJ 07102

              Director: Linda McDonald Carter, Esq.

              Telephone:973-877-1867

              Fax: 973-623-5777

              Email: carter@essex.edu

              Type of Institution: Public, 2 Year

              Degrees Offered: Associate Degree; Certificat

              Minimum Length of Time to Complete Program: Certificate-21 Credits; Associates Degree-2 Years

              Internships: Not required

              For More Information:

              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.essex.edu


              **American Bar Association approved

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              Mercer County Community College

              Paralegal Studies
              1200 Old Trenton Road
              West Windsor, NJ 08550

              Director: Erin Rybicki
              Telephone: 609-570-3649
              Fax: 609-586-4389
              Email: rybickie@mccc.edu

              Type of Institution: Public, 2-Year
              Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
              Minimum Length of Time to Complete
              Program: 60 credits for AAS Degree; 1 academic year for Certificate of Proficiency
              Internships: Mandatory
              For More Information:
              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.mccc.edu

              **American Bar Association approved

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              Middlesex County College

              Paralegal Studies Program
              2600 Woodbridge Avenue
              Edison, NJ 08818-3050

              Director: Theresa Orosz
              Telephone: 732-906-2526
              Fax: 732-906-4194
              Email: Torosz@middlesexcc.edu

              Type of Institution: Public, 2-Year
              Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science, Certificate
              Minimum Length of Time to Complete
              Program: Three (3) Semesters
              Internships: Elective
              For More Information:
              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.middlesexcc.edu

              **American Bar Association approved

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              Montclair State University

              Paralegal Studies
              1 Normal Avenue
              Upper Montclair, NJ 07043

              Director: Professor Nicole A. Fackina
              Telephone: 973-655-7759
              Email: justicestudies@mail.montclair.edu or
              External link opens in new tab or windowfackinan@montclair.edu
              Type of Institution: Public, 4 Year
              Degrees Offered: Baccalaureate Degree, Post Baccalaureate Certificate
              Minimum Length of Time to Complete
              Program: 2 Semesters for Certificate
              Internships: Required
              For More Information:
              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.montclair.edu

              ** American Bar Association approved

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              Raritan Valley Community College

              Paralegal Studies Program
              118 Lamington Road
              Branchburg, NJ 08876

              Director: Maria M. DeFilippis, Esq.
              Telephone: 908-526-1200 Ext. 8239
              Fax: 908-429-0268
              Email:Maria.DeFilippis@raritanval.edu

              Type of Institution: Public, 2-Year
              Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science, Certificate
              Minimum Length of Time to Complete
              Program: 2 Years for AAS, 2 Semesters for Certificate
              Internships: Elective
              For More Information:
              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.raritanval.edu

              **American Bar Association approved

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              Rowan College at Burlington County

              Paralegal Program
              900 Circle Drive
              Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054

              Director: Lauren Brill
              Telephone: 856-222-9311
              Fax: 609-726-0442
              Email: lbrill@rcbc.edu

              Type of Institution: Public, 2-Year
              Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science
              Minimum Length of Time to Complete
              Program: 2 Years
              Internships: Mandatory
              For More Information:
              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.rcbc.edu

              **American Bar Association approved

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              Rowan College at Gloucester County

              Paralegal Program
              1400 Tanyard Road
              Sewell, NJ 08080-9518

              Director: Lucy McClain, Esq.
              Telephone: 856-415-2150
              Fax: 856-468-1839
              Email: lmcclain@rcgc.edu

              Type of Institution:

              Degrees Offered: Associate Degree

              Minimum Length of Time to Complete Program:

              Internships:

              For More Information:

              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.rcgc.edu


              **American Bar Association approved 

              Click to edit

              Sussex County Community College

              Legal Studies Program
              1 College Hill
              Newton, NJ 07860
              Director: Nancy R. Gallo, J.D.
              Telephone: 973-300-2181
              Email: ngallo@sussex.edu
              Type of Institution:
              Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science Degree
              Day, Evening and Online courses available
              Minimum Length of Time to Complete Program: 30 credits
              Internships:
              For More Information:
              External link opens in new tab or windowwww.sussex.edu


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              Union County College

              Paralegal Studies Program
              1033 Springfield Ave.
              Cranford, NJ 07016

              Academic Specialist: Monica Schurtman, Esq.
              Telephone: 908-709-7171
              Fax: 908-709-7565
              Email: monica.schurtman@ucc.edu

              Type of Institution: Public, 2-Year
              Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science Degree; Post-Associate Certificate
              Minimum Length of Time to Complete
              Program: AAS - 2 Years; Certificate - 1 year
              Internships: Elective
              For More Information: External link opens in new tab or windowwww.ucc.edu

              **American Bar Association approved

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              **If you are interested in learning about how a program is approved by the ABA, please External link opens in new tab or windowclick here.


              The Certified Paralegal Exam

              PANJ is affiliated with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). NALA has developed a voluntary certification examination. Those who succeed in passing the exam are entitled to use the designation "CP"-Certified Paralegal or "CLA" - Certified Legal Assistant. Specialty Examinations in certain practice areas are also available to be taken by those who have attained CLA/CP status and those passing the specialty examination are entitled to use the designation of "ACP" - Advanced Certified Paralegal. If you are interested in taking the Certified Paralegal/Legal Assistant exam, please External link opens in new tab or windowclick here. The provided link will give you all the information you need about the nationally recognized credential examination administered by NALA.


              PANJ members enjoy discounted certification exam preparation programs from External link opens in new tab or windowThe Paralegal Education Group.


              Questions in connection with local NALA certification exam study groups should be directed to External link opens in new tab or windowNALALiaison@NJPara.org


              PLEASE NOTE: As part of the affiliate agreement, PANJ is required to provide its membership roster to NALA. NALA uses the roster to send mailings and emails providing announcements of NALA's CLE events or other information that may be of interest to paralegals. NALA is prohibited from releasing the mailing list to any third parties. PANJ members have the option of opting out of NALA's mailings and emails following membership acceptance.


              Paralegal Career Information: Q and A

              I'm not a lawyer, but can you connect me with one of your members to help me answer questions and/or prepare and/or file documents?

              No. Paralegals can ONLY work under the direct supervision of an attorney. Any non-lawyer assisting the general public with legal matters is committing the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). If you are an attorney looking for freelance help, PANJ may be able to connect you with a paralegal seeking employment. Advertise available positions and/or per diem positions for FREE in the Job Bank.

              Do I need to be certified to work as a paralegal in New Jersey?

              No. Paralegals need to only work under the supervision of an attorney. There is no required "certification" or "licensure" for paralegals in New Jersey.

              I have a paralegal certificate, it means I'm "certified" right?

              No. You are "certificated." To be "certified" you must take an exam offered by one of the national paralegal organizations-NALA's CLA/CP exam, NFPA's RP exam and/or NALS's PP exam.

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              The Paralegal Association of New Jersey

              Kerry Mackey, CP, President

              Stay in touch! Join our mailing list, follow the Association on Facebook or connect on LinkedIn.

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              Contact Info

              P.O. BOX 142
              Caldwell, NJ 07006

              Email: External link opens in new tab or windowInfo@NJPara.org
              Membership: 
              External link opens in new tab or windowMembership@NJPara.org
              Job Bank: External link opens in new tab or windowJobBank@NJPara.org

              Service Areas

              We serve paralegals throughout the State of New Jersey.

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