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Jefferson State Community College started serving students at its Central Alabama location in 1965.
The school is now one of the largest community colleges in the state.
The fall 2025 student enrollment set a new record for the school.
The school says that it is one of the most cost-effective options for students who want to gain workforce training and an education.
One program that the school offers is its paralegal program.
Students who enroll in the program and who complete it receive a Certificate of Completion.
The program is offered as a Fast Track program through the school’s General Business Academy.
About Jefferson State Community College
Location and Flexibility
Students may make an appointment at the Jefferson Campus or at the Shelby-Hoover Campus to register for the paralegal program.
Both campus locations are in Birmingham.
The school says that “we’ll meet you where you are,” giving students the help that they may need to get started learning a new career or advancing their current career.
Program Structure and Curriculum
- Program Type: Certificate of Completion in Paralegal Studies
- Total Credits: This is a non-credit, fast-track certificate program.
Course Breakdown
Jefferson State Community College does not list a required course sequence for its Paralegal Certificate Program.
The school lists the main course objectives.
The main course objectives include learning about Civil Procedures and Evidence, Family, Criminal, and Commercial Law, Legal Investigations, Tort Law, Real Estate Transfer and Ownership, and Partners and Agency.
The other main course objectives include Legal Analysis, American Jurisprudence, Estates, Wills, and Writing, and Computerized Legal Research Training.
Delivery Modes and Scheduling
The school offers its Certificate of Completion in Paralegal Studies program several times a year.
The paralegal program is usually listed as being Online – Live Instruction.
Students usually complete the program in less than four months.
Students can register online, or they can get assistance with registering for the next available term by meeting with a staff member at either the Jefferson Campus or the Shelby-Hoover Campus.
Pros and Cons of the Paralegal Program
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Students can complete the program in less than four months. | The Paralegal program at Jefferson State Community College is a short-term fast track certificate program, not a degree program. |
| The school offers assistance for future students who want to enroll in the Paralegal Studies program at two campus locations. | Employers may want their paralegals to have a degree, rather than a certificate. |
| Many of the skills that students gain are the same or similar to those offered in a paralegal degree program. | There are no on-campus options listed for this program. |
How to Apply/Next Steps
- Complete an application. Students need to complete an application and submit payment for the course before registering for the Paralegal Studies program.
- Plan your schedule. The program is offered several times a year. Decide which fast-track term you will enroll in to complete the program.
- Explore your financial aid options. Apply for state and federal financial aid programs. Check with the school to find out what other financial aid options are available. Submit an application to all financial aid programs that may apply to you.
Contact Information
If you would like to have more information about the Certificate of Completion in Paralegal Studies program at Jefferson State Community College, contact the school at 888-453-3378.
The number is the same for both the Shelby-Hoover campus and the Jefferson campus.
You may also visit the website at https://www.jeffersonstate.edu/academics/fast-track/general-business/paralegal/.
| Jefferson State Community College: Key Details | |
|---|---|
| Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
| Location | 4600 Valleydale Road Birmingham, AL, 35242 |
| Website | https://www.jeffersonstate.edu/academics/fast-track/general-business/paralegal/ |
| Phone | 888-453-3378 |
| On Campus? | No |
| Online? | Yes |
| Program Length | 2 Years |
| Student Rating | -NA- |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fast-track paralegal program?
The fast-track Certificate of Completion in Paralegal Studies program prepares students to have various opportunities in a shorter period of time.
Students complete the program within a few months, not years.
Does the school offer a degree program in Paralegal Studies?
The school offers its Certificate of Completion program through the General Business Academy.
It does not currently have a degree option.
How long does the paralegal program at Jefferson State Community College last?
Students complete the program in less than four months.
One example is that a recent program listing for the course said that it was in an online-live format, with a start date of March 2, 2026, through June 15, 2026.
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