Paralegals work with lawyers to provide a variety of services.
Becoming a paralegal requires some training, but you can complete a paralegal program in one to two years.
Some professionals begin as a paralegal and work their way through law school.
1 South Coast College
South Coast College offers legal and medical programs.
They focus on a student-centered approach that includes small class sizes, day and evening classes, and student support.
They focus on traditional in-classroom learning with a hands-on approach.
Courses Offered/Program Name
South Coast College offers an Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies.
You can complete the program in just 18 months of full-time study.
Day and evening classes are offered.
Small class sizes make it easy for you to learn and put your knowledge into practice.
You’ll learn legal ethics and professional responsibility, legal analysis and writing, legal research, and criminal law and procedure.
You’ll also learn contract law, family law, torts, and civil litigation.
Contact Information
- Address: 2011 W Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92868
- Phone: (714) 867-5009
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Campus, MTI College
Campus is formerly MTI College.
They have a great track record, with 90% of graduates landing a job in their field of study.
They have small class sizes and focus on hands-on learning.
After graduation, students are eligible for job placement.
The mission of Campus is to “prepare its students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary for pursuing successful careers”.
They serve high school graduates and adult learners in Northern California.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Campus offers two options for aspiring paralegals.
The first is a legal assistant diploma program.
It’s important to note that this program is not approved by the American Bar Association, or ADA, and doesn’t prepare you to work as a paralegal.
However, it does prepare you to work in a law office as an assistant who performs few or no legal duties.
Campus also offers a Paralegal Associate of Arts degree.
This program is ADA approved, and will prepare you to begin a career as a paralegal.
If you have already earned an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, or you have earned 36 credit hours, you can begin the program in year two.
The program can be completed online.
Most courses are synchronous, which means you’ll need to be online for lectures at scheduled times.
Contact Information
- Address: 5221 Madison Ave, Sacramento, CA 95841
- Phone: (916) 339-1500
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Fremont University
Fremont University is a trade school.
They offer studies in healthcare, justice administration, paralegal studies, wellness, and business.
They offer programs in person and online.
It’s a small school that provides a personalized education.
Courses Offered/Program Name
You can earn an Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies in just 60 weeks, or 15 months.
The program is approved by the ABA.
You’ll learn legal writing skills, how to analyze the law and apply it to the facts of a case, and legal technology.
You’ll learn how the legal system works, legal terminology, and the ethics of being a paralegal.
Contact Information
- Address: 18000 Studebaker Rd #900a, Cerritos, CA 90703
- Phone: (562) 809-5100
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Los Angeles Trade Technical College was established in 1925.
The school offers 80 career and technical programs that allow students to graduate and begin a new career in 2 years or less.
The school also offers 18 transfer degrees and has agreements with the University of California and other local colleges and universities.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Los Angeles Trade Technical College offers two paralegal programs.
You can earn a certificate of completion or an Associate of Arts degree.
Both programs require you to complete 42 credit hours in paralegal studies.
To earn your Associate of Arts degree, you’ll also need 21 general education credits.
The program typically takes 4 semesters to complete.
Courses include Introduction to Law and Legal Profession, Business Law, Tort Law, Legal Writing, and Civil and Criminal Evidence.
You’ll also participate in Legal research and a Legal Internship.
Contact Information
- Address: 400 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
- Phone: (213) 763-5341
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College is a leader in the state for students transferring to a four-year university after graduating.
They also offer an array of career preparation and technical programs, so you can begin your new career in two years or less.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Santa Ana College offers two paralegal programs.
The Paralegal Certificate program requires 37 credits and focuses on the skills you will need to become an effective paralegal.
The Paralegal Associate Degree program requires 60 credits, as required by the ABA.
In addition to the core courses in the paralegal program, you’ll need to complete general education requirements.
During the program, you will learn how to make ethical decisions as a paralegal, understand legal concepts, legal terminology, and be proficient in legal writing and speaking.
Contact Information
- Address: 1530 W 17th St, Santa Ana, CA 92706
- Phone: (714) 564-6000
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College was founded in 1929 as a community college.
More than 30,000 students are enrolled in the school.
Santa Monica College is ranked first in transfers to UCs, UCLA, USC, & LMU, and has held this honor for more than 3 decades.
They offer more than 200 programs.
Courses Offered/Program Name
The college offers a completely online, self-paced Paralegal diploma program.
You will have 1 year to complete the program, but many students complete the program sooner.
The course requires 225 hours.
You will also be eligible to take the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal exam.
An exam review course is included in your program.
This course is 225 hours or 15 credit hours.
To take the CP exam, you will need a total of 60 credit hours.
Courses in the program include The Paralegal in the Legal System, Regulations of Paralegals, Attorney and Paralegal Ethics, Introduction to Legal System, Investigation in a Law Office, and Legal Interviewing.
Contact Information
- Address: 1900 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Phone: (310) 434-4000
- Website: Visit School Website
7 West Los Angeles College
West Los Angeles College is a California Community College.
They offer a variety of university transfer programs and career education courses.
The campus has over 70 acres, and you can see the Pacific Ocean from campus on clear days.
The school accommodates nearly 20,000 students each year.
However, it has a small school feel.
No more than 5,000 students are on campus at any one time.
Courses Offered/Program Name
The Paralegal program is the First ABA Approved Paralegal Program in the Los Angeles Community College District.
The program was approved in 2005.
West Los Angeles College offers two options.
You can earn a Paralegal Associate Degree.
If you already have a degree, you can earn the Post Associate Degree Certificate of Achievement.
The Associate’s degree program requires 60 credit hours.
This includes paralegal core requirements and general education courses.
The certificate program includes only the paralegal courses.
Contact Information
- Address: 9000 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230
- Phone: (310) 287-4200
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles City College (LACC) is the oldest Los Angeles Community College.
It was founded nearly 90 years ago.
The school offers 100 vocational and professional programs, which include transfer programs, degrees, and certificates to prepare students for a career.
The school enrolls about 18,000 students each year.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Los Angeles City College offers two paralegal programs.
The Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies requires 64 credit hours.
Students will complete 43 required course hours, with 18 credits being “legal specialty” classes.
Students will also complete 21 general education credits.
This program typically takes 2 years to complete.
You can also earn a Paralegal Certificate of Achievement.
You’ll take the 43 credit-hour courses required for the A.A. degree.
You’ll also complete English 101, which is 3 credit hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 855 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
- Phone: (323) 953-4000
- Website: Visit School Website
9 Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University is a private University.
They are a top-ranked national university.
The school is rooted in Roman Catholicism, particularly the Catholic, Jesuit, and Marymount traditions.
LMU focuses on creating successful students who can make a difference in the world around them.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Loyola Marymount University offers a Paralegal Certificate program that can prepare you for a career as a paralegal.
The course is synchronous online and offered in the evenings.
Courses included in the program include Introduction to Paralegal Studies, The American Judicial System/ California Court Structure, Regulations of Paralegals, Introduction to Legal Analysis, Legal Interviewing, Legal Writing, and Investigation in a Law Office.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Loyola Marymount University Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90045
- Phone: (310) 338-2700
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Salary Information
Paralegals in California earn an average of $65,529 per year.
Salaries range from with $40,831 to $99,166.
The average salary is higher in Los Angeles, with most paralegals earning $72,481.
How much you earn will depend on your education, experience, certification, and where you choose to work.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$40K |
|
$72K |
|
$99K |
Average Salary in Los Angeles, CA
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $72,481 |
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