The Department of Justice Studies offers a Paralegal Studies Certificate Program for post-baccalaureate students, which includes a balanced and varied background in the legal fundamentals, appropriate skills, and practical field work experience necessary for employment as a legal assistant.  The program develops intellectual and analytical skills, educates students for direct employment opportunities in the paralegal fields, and provides additional career possibilities in combination with a student's undergraduate degree.

The Montclair State University Paralegal Studies Program is the first and only state college or university in New Jersey to receive American Bar Association approval.  A certificate of completion is awarded to all students who meet program standards, fulfill the 21 credit hours required in the program, and have completed a bachelor's degree.

By advisement, a student may focus upon one of three optional areas of emphasis in the selection of Group II courses: Legal Information and Technology, Hispanic Perspectives and Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Law.  These are informal grouping of courses clustered in accordance with student interests and career goals.  A student is not required to take them and they are not formally recorded with the Registrar's Office. The required Paralegal Seminar and Internship course will focus upon the student's area of interest.