Apply and Register for Paralegal Studies

To apply for the Paralegal Studies Certificate, complete your application in Cal State Apply.

Be sure to review the application instructions and admission requirements before you apply. Processing takes about 5–10 business days, and the application fee is $70. 

General Requirements

• You must have at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of prior academic coursework
• If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you are automatically eligible
• If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, you must have:
  • At least 36 semester (54 quarter) units of general education coursework covering four basic skills areas: oral communication, written composition, critical thinking and math/quantitative reasoning
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Completed the coursework submitted for review within 10 years of the intended term of enrollment

Conditional Admission

• You may petition for admission if you have at least 45 semester units (68 quarter units) and three years of legal experience within the past five years
• You must submit transcripts and an attorney’s declaration verifying your experience
• Conditional admission students are not eligible for federal financial aid

Residency

• You must live in California or another authorized state to enroll
• See State Authorization for Online Education

Non-Certificate Students

Many elective classes in the program do not have prerequisites. If students wish to explore the legal field and want to take individual elective courses in the program, they may register for those courses.

Transfer of Credits

• You may transfer up to nine upper-division semester units from another ABA-approved paralegal program if you earned a grade of B or higher
• Courses must closely match SFSU courses and have been completed within the last five years
• Law school courses are not transferable, except Legal Research and Writing

English Proficiency

• Strong writing skills are required
• If you do not hold a bachelor’s degree, you must take PLS 414: Introduction to Professional Legal Writing(counts as an elective and fulfills the literacy requirement)
• If English is not your first language, you may be encouraged to take PLS 414 to strengthen your communication skills

Computer Proficiency

• You must have basic skills in word processing, email and Internet use
• PLS 430: Computer Applications in Law Practice is strongly recommended if you have not worked in a legal setting

International Students

• F-1 international students are not eligible, since the program has been fully online since summer 2023

To Apply

• Go to Cal State Apply
• Select the term you wish to apply for and click Apply
• Create your Cal State Apply account and complete your Extended Profile
  • Choose Certificate for “Degree Goal”
• Complete the Personal Information, Academic History and Supporting Materials sections
• Click Add Program
  • Search for San Francisco State University
  • Select Extended Education and choose your term
• Choose the correct application type:
  • Post-Bachelor Applicants (if you already have a bachelor’s degree)
  • Pre-Bachelor Applicants (if you do not have a bachelor’s degree)
• Complete the required and optional questions
• Upload a copy of your unofficial transcript
• Submit your application

Transcripts

• Official transcripts are required for admission.
  • If you hold a bachelor’s or academic associate degree, submit an official transcript from the degree-granting institution.
  • If you do not hold one of these degrees, submit official transcripts from all colleges attended.
  • Upload an unofficial transcript with your Cal State Apply application.
• If your records are not in English: Include a certified, literal word-for-word English translation with the original-language document. Accepted translators include the issuing university, an Embassy or Consulate, or a certified translator.
• Send official transcripts:
  • Electronic: Ask your school to send directly to ecerpa@sfsu.edu via a secure third-party transcript vendor.
  • Paper:
    College of Professional & Global Education
    San Francisco State University
    1600 Holloway Avenue
    Science and Engineering Innovation Center, 5th Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94132
• Exemption: Current SFSU degree-seeking students and SFSU graduates are exempt from submitting official transcripts.

You will earn the Paralegal Studies Certificate after completing 24 units (required and elective courses).

Requirements

• You must take all core courses (PLS 300, 305, 310, 320 and 395) for a letter grade
• You must earn at least a C in each course and maintain a C+ GPA or higher overall
• You must finish all coursework within four years
• You must clear all financial obligations to the University before the certificate is awarded
• If you graduate with a 3.5 GPA or higher, your certificate will include honors recognition

How to Apply for Your Certificate

• Wait until all grades are posted
• Submit the Certificate of Completion Request Form