Ethics for Paralegals is a Certificate program (100% Online) offered by Blackstone Career Institute in Allentown, PA. The program takes 3–6 months to complete, with a total tuition of $199.
Program Overview
There’s a wide range of requirements that paralegals and legal assistants must meet to maintain their certification. Blackstone’s Ethics for Paralegals course provides 5 hours of CLEs for NALA and NALS-certified paralegals required to meet the legal ethics requirement for recertification. This fully online, self-paced course discusses ethical issues important for paralegals such as the unauthorized practice of law, ethical walls, fiduciary duty, and rules of confidentiality. Additional information about paralegal certification and licensing is also included.
Blackstone’s Ethics for Paralegals course provides 5 hours of CLEs for NALA and NALS-certified paralegals required to meet the legal ethics requirement for recertification. This fully online, self-paced course discusses ethical issues important for paralegals such as the unauthorized practice of law, ethical walls, fidiciary duty, and rules of confidentiality. Additional information about paralegal certification and licensing is also included.
Successful paralegals understand the importance of keeping current with the ever-changing legal field. To support continuing legal education (CLE) needs and professional development, Blackstone offers paralegals specialized online courses in a variety of legal topics. Our Ethics for Paralegals course is designed for both professional development and to meet the continuing legal education (CLE) needs of practicing paralegals.
If you are a Certified Paralegal (CP®) through NALA, the National Association of Legal Assistants Ethics for Paralegals is worth 5 hours toward the 50 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) needed for paralegal recertification.
If you are an Accredited Legal Professional (ALP), Certified Legal Professional (CLP) or Professional Paralegal (PP) through NALS, National Association for Legal Support Professionals, a minimum of 5 Hours of ethics per recertification is required.
What sets this Program apart
- Quick, targeted courses designed to help you stay current and earn CLE credits efficiently (3–5 CLE hours)
- Complete your course online on your schedule
- 5 CLE Hours Towards Recertification through NALA or NALS
Admission Requirements and Process
BCI’s enrollment model is an open-enrollment track meaning students can enroll in courses at any time with no wait for a start date. Blackstone Career Institute allows students to enroll online anytime or by phone.
To qualify for admission, an applicant must complete BCI’s Enrollment Agreement with the required down payment, submit evidence of a High School Diploma or GED Equivalency Certificate, and complete a Reading Assessment with a score of 70% or higher before beginning program lessons. It is the responsibility of the student to review their state’s regulatory information and professional licensing and/or certification requirements prior to enrollment.
General Requirements
- Enrollment AgreementComplete BCI’s Enrollment Agreement for admission; the required down payment must be submitted at the time of enrollment.
- High school completionAll students are required to have a High School Diploma or GED Equivalency Certificate, and physical or electronic evidence of this credential must be submitted to the school.
- Reading AssessmentNew students complete a Reading Assessment in the Online Student Center as a first step, and a score of 70% or higher is required to begin program lessons.
- Computer and internet accessStudents in online programs must have a compatible computer or laptop with reliable internet access and the basic computer skills needed to use Blackstone’s learning management…
- International studentsInternational students and students outside the contiguous U.S. must contact the school before enrolling, must pay in U.S. funds on the full payment plan, and enrollment cannot be…
Application Process
- 1Complete the Enrollment AgreementEnroll online anytime or by phone; the Enrollment Agreement outlines the obligations of Blackstone and the student, and the required down payment is submitted at enrollment.
- 2Submit your High School Diploma or GEDSend physical or electronic evidence of your high school diploma or GED Equivalency Certificate to the school.
- 3Receive your welcome letterOnce Blackstone has received and reviewed the agreement, the accepted applicant receives a welcome letter with instructions on how to begin.
- 4Complete the Reading AssessmentComplete the Reading Assessment through BCI’s Online Student Center; a score of 70% or higher is required to begin program lessons, with one retest allowed.
- 5Start learningBegin your coursework at your own pace; questions about admissions can be directed to Student Services at 800-826-9228, Monday–Thursday 9:00 am–4:00 pm ET.
Program Schedule
Open enrollment: complete your course online on your schedule. Average completion time is 3–6 months, with up to 12 months to work at your own pace.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition. This course is an affordable one-time payment of $199. Ethics for Paralegals is a non-refundable course.
Financial aid. Blackstone Career Institute does not participate in federal financial aid (it is not a Title IV school that accepts FAFSA or Pell Grants), so there is no FAFSA school code. Students may apply for tuition reimbursement from their employer or check with their State and Local Assistance; Blackstone is an eligible training provider in many states under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Optional fees. Optional fees are non-refundable:
- Official transcript (mailed): $15
- Reprint of certificate/diploma: $25
- Reprint of full set of graduation documents: $40
- Extension fee (6 months): $125
- NSF fee: $40
- Late payment fee: $15
- Reinstatement fee: $95
Refund policy. Cancellations within 5 days of signing the Enrollment Agreement receive a full refund; after that, the refund is based on the registration fee (15% of tuition or $150, whichever is less) and the share of lessons submitted.
Tuition increase coming 11/02/2026, according to Blackstone’s website.
Curriculum
Course modules and outcomes as published by Blackstone.
Course outcomes. Students completing this course will be able to:
- Explain how the paralegal profession evolved
- Describe the tasks of a paralegal
- Differentiate between legal and paralegal responsibilities
- Differentiate between certification and licensing
- List the pros and cons of licensure
- Cite advantages and disadvantages of becoming a freelance paralegal
- Elaborate on duties paralegals may perform
- Explain the rules of confidentiality relating to attorneys and paralegals
- Describe an “ethical wall”
- Define fiduciary duty
- Differentiate between billable and nonbillable hours
- Define fee splitting
- Elaborate on advertising and the freelance/independent paralegal
- Describe the importance of paralegal conduct
- Understand the duty of reporting misconduct
- Describe the importance of pro bono work
- Describe the value of lifelong learning
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name |
|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Successful paralegals understand the importance of keeping current with the ever-changing legal field. To support continuing legal education (CLE) needs and professional development, Blackstone offers paralegals specialized online courses in a variety of legal topics. Our Ethics for Paralegals course is designed for both professional development and to meet the continuing legal education (CLE) needs of practicing paralegals.
If you are a Certified Paralegal (CP®) through NALA, the National Association of Legal Assistants Ethics for Paralegals is worth 5 hours toward the 50 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) needed for paralegal recertification.
If you are an Accredited Legal Professional (ALP), Certified Legal Professional (CLP) or Professional Paralegal (PP) through NALS, National Association for Legal Support Professionals, a minimum of 5 Hours of ethics per recertification is required.
Employment, job placement, and/or salary/salary ranges are not guaranteed to graduates upon program completion.
What to expect as a Blackstone Career Institute student
Blackstone makes it easy for you to complete the Ethics for Paralegals course by providing all of the materials needed. See further details below:
Ethics for Paralegals
- Evolution of the Paralegal Profession
- Tasks of a Paralegal
- Attorney vs. Paralegal Responsibilities
- Certification and Licensing
- Freelance and Independent Paralegals
- Confidentiality, Ethical Walls, and Screening
- Fees and Fee Sharing
- Advertising
- The Integrity of the Paralegal Profession
Access to Blackstone’s Online Student Center
You will gain unlimited access to Blackstone’s Online Student Center, where you can complete the modules, take the exam, and download your certificate after completion of modules.
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Blackstone Career Institute is accredited by Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), Washington, D.C and Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools, Philadelphia, PA. MSA and DEAC are recognized members of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Blackstone Career Institute has proudly maintained accreditation since 2005.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
