Paralegals have an important role in the legal system.
They work with attorneys to provide a variety of services, including interviewing clients and witnesses, creating legal documents, and performing legal research.
1 Palo Alto College
Palo Alto College was founded 35 years ago.
The school is located in San Antonio and offers associate degree and certificate programs.
In 2019, Palo Alto College was named a Rising Star by the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
It was also named one of the top three community colleges on the 2018 Best Colleges in Texas list provided by Bestcolleges.com.
Program/Courses Offered
Palo Alto College offers a completely online paralegal program.
It’s self-paced and will prepare you for the Certified Paralegal (CP) exam, offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
Courses in the program include Paralegal in the Legal System, On the Job Realities, Legal Interviewing, Legal Research, Estates and Family Law, and Criminal Law.
You’ll also complete a Capstone and Final Exam before graduating from the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 1400 W. VILLARET BLVD SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78224
- Phone: (210) 212-5266
- Website: Visit School Website
2 University of Texas San Antonio
The University of Texas San Antonio is a Hispanic-serving institution.
It declares itself a Hispanic Thriving institution, with 60% of the student body being Hispanic.
It’s the largest university in San Antonio and holds a Tier One research university designation.
Program/Courses Offered
The University of Texas San Antonio offers a Paralegal certificate program.
Instructors are local attorneys who are still practicing law.
The program has three semesters, or phases.
You’ll complete Paralegal 1, Paralegal 2, and Paralegal 3.
It’s an accelerated program, with each phase lasting about 14 weeks.
You can complete the entire program in 11 months.
You’ll gain the skills to work in a law office anywhere in the U.S., but there is a focus on Texas law, so you’ll be well prepared to begin working as a paralegal in Texas.
The program is offered completely online.
You can choose the virtual classroom option, which consists of video lectures that you’ll need to attend online, or the online program which is self-paced.
Courses included in the program include legal research, legal writing, Civil Litigation, Contacts and Business Law, Family Law, and Criminal Law and Procedure.
Contact Information
- Address: One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249
- Phone: 210-458-4011
- Website: Visit School Website
3 San Antonio College
San Antonio College was originally the University Junior College, and it was founded in September 1925.
It’s a part of the Caring Campus Initiative.
This means they work to foster a sense of belonging and community, which helps students meet their academic and personal goals.
The school has about 20,000 students each year.
Program/Courses Offered
At San Antonio College, you can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies.
This program is part of the Administrative Computer Technology (ACT) Department and the School of Business.
You can choose to study part-time or full-time.
Day, evening, and online classes are available.
This means you can earn your education without sacrificing your daily responsibilities or career.
Contact Information
- Address: 1819 N. MAIN AVE. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78212
- Phone: (210) 212-5266
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Texas State University
More than 38,000 students attend Texas State University.
The college claims that it has the most beautiful campus in the state.
Texas State offers more than 200 Bachelor’s, Masters, and Doctorate degree programs.
The school was founded in 1899, giving it more than a century of excellence.
It’s the only university in the state to have graduated a president.
Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36 president and had Texas State as his Alma Mader.
Program/Courses Offered
Texas State University offers a post-graduate Paralegal Certificate offered by the Department of Political Science and the Graduate College.
All instructors are experienced attorneys, and the program takes a balanced approach.
The program is also approved by the American Bar Association.
The program requires 24 credits and takes 2 or more semesters to complete.
Students must maintain a B average or higher in each course to graduate.
Courses include Legal Research, Litigation, Legal Drafting, Administrative Law, Family Law, and Estates and Trusts.
You’ll also complete an internship as part of the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666-4684
- Phone: 512.245.2111
- Website: Visit School Website
5 University of the Incarnate World
The University of the Incarnate World, or UIW, School of Professional Studies (SPS), offers programs ranging from certificates to Doctoral degrees completely online.
They provide free textbooks, reduced tuition, and accelerated courses to give you the best start.
Their programs are designed for adult learners.
They offer a total of 18 programs of study and have 3 course delivery methods, including online learning.
Students enjoy small class sizes of 12 students to 1 instructor.
50% of graduates earn their degree in 2 years or less.
Program/Courses Offered
The University of the Incarnate World offers a paralegal program.
The program consists of Paralegal 1 and Paralegal 2.
During Paralegal 1, you’ll learn about the American judicial system.
You’ll learn practical skills, including how to assist attorneys, interview witnesses, understand fact patterns, research, and prepare litigation cases.
During Paralegal 2, you’ll learn advanced legal research and writing, advocacy, and appellate procedure.
You’ll gain a practical understanding of legal authority and the litigation process.
You’ll learn law office management, and different types of law, including family law, criminal law, and real property law.
Both portions are equivalent to 45 class hours.
Each portion lasts for 7 weeks, and the courses are completely online.
Once you’ve completed the Paralegal course, you can choose the Advanced Paralegal program.
You will choose six advanced paralegal topics to complete this program.
Each course takes 45 to 50 hours of study and lasts for 7 weeks.
You may choose to take one or more courses at a time.
Contact Information
- Address: 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78209
- Phone: 1-800-749-9673
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Mt. San Antonio College
Mt. San Antonio College offers 400 degree and certificate programs, as well as dozens of support programs.
They also offer a traditional college experience, with more than 50 student clubs and athletic programs.
The college is ranked among the Top 3% of Community Colleges in the U.S. according to Niche.
Program/Courses Offered
Mt. San Antonio College offers a Paralegal Associate of Science degree.
The program requires 60 credit hours and is typically completed in two years.
It is approved by the American Bar Association.
Courses include Legal Analysis and Writing, Law Office Procedures, Tort Law, Civil Procedure, Contract Law, and Employment and Ethical Issues.
You’ll also complete general education courses, including Arts, Public Speaking, Science, and Humanities courses.
After completing the course, you’ll be ready for a career as a paralegal or legal assistant, title examiner, or compliance officer.
After completing the program, you can take the eDiscovery and Litigation certificate course.
This course requires 12 credit hours.
Courses include Litigation and eDiscovery, eDiscovery Project Management, and Litigation Support Tech.
Contact Information
- Address: 1100 N. Grand Ave., Walnut, CA 91789
- Phone: (909) 274-7500
- Website: Visit School Website
7 San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College is one of the top 5 community colleges in the nation.
They offer more than 200 programs.
The school is committed to diversity.
64% of the student body is Hispanic or Latino, and more than 50 countries are represented.
Program/Courses Offered
San Jacinto College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies.
The program is approved by the American Bar Association and will prepare you for a career as a paralegal.
Courses include Introduction to Law, Civil Litigation, Legal Research and Writing, Contracts, Interviewing and Investigation, and Criminal Law and Procedure.
You’ll also take general education courses, including Composition, Mathematics, Texas Government, History, or Psychology.
To graduate, you’ll also need to complete an External Learning Experience, which allows you to gain real-world experience.
Contact Information
- Address: 13735 Beamer Rd, Houston, TX 77089
- Phone: 281-998-6150
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Purdue Global
Purdue Global offers an online university designed for working adults.
Terms are 10 or 12 weeks long.
You can expect to spend 15-18 hours each week for 10-week courses, and 20-25 hours per week for 12-week courses.
Program/Courses Offered
Purdue Global offers several options for aspiring paralegals.
If you want to begin your career quickly, you can earn your Legal Secretary certificate.
You’ll learn legal writing and document preparation and how to use software applications.
If you already hold a Bachelor’s degree, you can earn your Post-Baccalaureate Paralegal certificate.
You’ll learn about the civil litigation process and the skills necessary for legal writing, document processing, and software applications.
The Paralegal Studies Associate of Legal Support and Services will give you the knowledge and experience you need to become a paralegal.
You’ll be eligible for the Certified Paralegal exam after completing the program.
If you are interested in furthering your education, you can earn your Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Support Services.
You can choose a paralegal concentration.
Purdue also offers a Masters degree in Legal Studies.
Once you’ve earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, you can continue your education with law school if your goal is to become an attorney.
Contact Information
- Address: 2550 Northwestern Avenue, Suite 1100. West Lafayette, IN 47906
- Phone: 1-844-787-3834
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Paralegal Salary Information
Paralegals in Texas make an average of $66,819 per year.
Salaries typically range from $59,276 to $75,596.
In San Antonio, paralegals typically earn $51,000 to $82,000.
How much you can earn will depend on a variety of factors, including your experience, education, certifications, and skills.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$51K |
|
$66K |
|
$82K |
Average Salary in San Antonio, TX
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| San Antonio | $66,819 |
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