Becoming a paralegal allows you to work with an attorney.
Your duties may include interviewing clients, scheduling appointments, performing research, and creating legal briefs.
Hawaii doesn’t require you to be certified before starting a career as a paralegal.
However, a paralegal program can give you the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a paralegal.
Hawaii has very few in-person paralegal programs, but there are plenty of online options.
1 Kapi'olani Community College
About School
Kapi’olani Community College was ranked a 2017 Best Community Colleges in America, ranking in the top 10 schools.
They offer technical, professional, and occupational programs.
The school focuses on cross-cultural education with diversity and innovation.
The school currently has a 28% graduation rate and an 18% transfer rate.
This means 18% of students go on to transfer to a four-year college.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Kapi’olani Community College offers the only ABA (American Bar Association) approved paralegal program based in Hawaii.
The program began in 1978 and has trained the majority of paralegals currently practicing in Hawaii.
The college offers a few options for paralegals.
You can get an Associate of Science degree in Paralegal Studies.
This requires 60 to 62 credits and takes 2 years to complete.
You can also get a certificate of achievement in paralegal studies.
This program is designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field and focuses solely on paralegal courses.
This program typically takes 1 year or less and takes 27 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96816
- Phone: (808) 734-9000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Hawaii Community College
About School
Hawaii Community College offers a variety of programs online and on campus.
You can train for a new career, or earn an associate’s degree and then go on to get a bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution.
The college has been in operation for more than 80 years.
The college currently has 3 physical locations.
You also have access to the University Center, which provides online and hybrid programs that provide a bachelor’s or graduate degree.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Hawaii Community College has paired with CLS by Barbri to offer a Paralegal Certificate Course.
The course can be taken in a few ways.
The most popular format is to split it into two 7-week sessions.
You can take the course in a synchronous format, with regular deadlines for completing work, or a self-paced program.
The course costs $2392.00.
Once you’ve completed the majority of the course, you are eligible for the Career Center.
According to a recent survey, 95% of students found this program to be more flexible than most programs.
Once you’ve earned your paralegal certificate, you can go on to get your advanced paralegal certificate.
This allows you to choose six courses that can be completed in 14 weeks to 1 year.
It’s a great way to specialize in areas that you are interested in.
Contact Information
- Address: 1175 Manono Street · Hilo, HI 96720-5096
- Phone: (808) 934-2500
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Liberty University
About School
Liberty University was founded in 1971 by Reverend Jerry Falwell.
Liberty has long been an accredited liberal arts university that is evangelical.
Liberty currently has 15 colleges and schools with more than 100,000 students.
The school offers more than 700 programs of study that range from the certificate to doctoral level, and everything in between.
More than 600 of these programs are available online, so students around the world can get an excellent evangelical education.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Liberty University offers a range of paralegal programs to meet the needs and goals of different students.
The Paralegal Certificate course can be completed in one year and requires 18 credits.
You can also earn an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies, which requires 60 credits and typically takes 2 years to complete.
This program includes general education courses for a well-rounded education.
If you want to continue your education to become a lawyer, you should consider a Bachelor’s degree.
You can choose a B.S. in Law and Policy or a Paralegal Bachelor’s degree.
These programs require 120 credits and take 4 years to complete.
Contact Information
- Address: 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, VA 24515
- Phone: (800) 424-9595
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Post University
About School
Post University offers online degree and certificate programs that you can access in Hawaii.
The University was founded in 1890.
Since its founding, Post has focused on supporting its students.
Once you are enrolled, you are assigned a team of advisors.
They will help you through the entire process, including financial aid, course selection, tutoring, and career placement after graduation.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Post University offers several options for getting a paralegal degree.
First, you can earn a paralegal certificate.
This program requires 30 credit hours and typically takes one year to complete.
If you want a more in-depth education, consider an Associate Degree in Paralegal studies.
This program requires 60 credit hours and is usually completed in 2 years.
This program features the law classes you’ll need to become a paralegal, as well as general education classes.
You can also choose to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies.
This prepares you to work as a paralegal.
It also allows you to continue your education and pursue a law degree if you want to become a lawyer.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 Country Club Road, P.O. Box 2540, Waterbury, CT 06723
- Phone: (800) 660-6615
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Duke University
About School
Duke University is a prestigious private college with a history of excellence.
It began as Trinity College of Art and Sciences in 1859.
In 1924, it was expanded and named Duke University.
The college currently has more than 6,000 undergraduate students, and over 10,000 graduate students.
The school still has a close link with the United Methodist Church.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Duke University offers a paralegal certificate program that can prepare you for a career as a paralegal.
To take this course, you’ll need an associate’s degree or higher in another field.
This course focuses on the skills and knowledge you’ll need as a paralegal and doesn’t include general education classes.
The course is 30 credit hours and can be accessed online.
You can learn at your own pace, but most students complete the program in 1 year.
The cost of the program is $6,995.
Contact Information
- Address: 2080 Duke University Road, Durham, NC 27708
- Phone: (919) 684-8111
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Eastern Kentucky University
About School
Eastern Kentucky University has been named one of the best colleges by U.S. News and World Report.
The school features completely online programs and on-campus programs.
Instead of taking many classes at once, you’ll take one to two classes at a time for an 8-week term.
The fall and spring semesters each have two terms.
The summer features two 6-week terms so you can get ahead.
The University offers free textbooks and no application fee, which makes learning more accessible for students.
You’ll also enjoy tutoring and career services.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Eastern Kentucky University offers a few options to get your paralegal degree.
You can earn an Applied Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies.
This program requires 60 credit hours and usually takes 2 years to complete.
You can also earn a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Science.
This is a great option if you want a more in-depth education, or you are considering continuing your education to become an attorney.
You can also get a Post Bachelor’s Certificate in Paralegal Science.
If you’ve already earned a Bachelor’s degree in another field, this is a great option.
Contact Information
- Address: 521 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, KY 40475
- Phone: 859-622-4455
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Rasmussen University
About School
Rasmussen University was known as Rasmussen College until recently in 2020.
The school has been in operation for more than 120 years.
Rasmussen has always focused on a career-oriented education.
The goal of the school is to prepare you for the real world after graduation.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Rasmussen University offers a Paralegal Associates Degree and a Paralegal Certificate for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree.
You can expect to spend two years to earn your Associates degree, or one year to get your certificate.
Once you’ve completed the program, you can take the National Certified Legal Assistant/Paralegal Examination (CLA/CP Exam)/.
Rasmussen University will reimburse the cost of the exam the first time you take it.
Once you pass the exam, you’ll be a certified paralegal.
Certification isn’t’ required in Hawaii, but it can help you stand out from other candidates and enjoy a higher rate of pay.
Contact Information
- Address: 385 Douglas Ave Suite #1000, Altamonte Springs, FL, 32714
- Phone: 888-559-6763
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Grand Canyon University
About School
Grand Canyon University is a Christian University located in Phoenix Arizona.
They focus on providing an education with a Christian worldview.
They welcome students of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions.
They offer classes online and on campus.
Getting your degree online allows you to complete the courses on your schedule in the comfort of your own home.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Grand Canyon University offers two paralegal programs.
You can choose the Online Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies, or the Bachelor of Arts in Government with an Emphasis in Legal Studies.
When you take the program online, you’ll have classes that are 7 weeks long.
You’ll need a total of 120 hours, which usually takes 4 years.
The Bachelor of Arts in Government with an Emphasis in Legal Studies can prepare you for many careers in the legal field.
The Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies focuses on justice and law from a sociological perspective.
Both majors can lead to a career as a paralegal.
You can also go on to get your law degree after graduating from the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 3300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017
- Phone: 855-428-5673
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Kapi'olani Community College |
|
#2 | Hawaii Community College |
|
#3 | Liberty University |
|
#4 | Post University |
|
#5 | Duke University |
|
#6 | Eastern Kentucky University |
|
#7 | Rasmussen University |
|
#8 | Grand Canyon University |
Paralegal Salary Information
The average salary for a paralegal in Hawaii is $70,370. Salaries range from $62,425 to $79,612.
Your salary will vary based on the location where you work, the type of firm or specialization you’ve chosen, certifications, skills, education, and years of experience.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$85K |
|
$94K |
|
$10K |
Average Salary in Hawaii
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Honolulu | $93,631 |
| Hilo | $93,002 |
| Kailua | $93,631 |
| Kaneohe | $93,631 |
| Waipahu | $93,589 |
| Pearl City | $93,631 |
| Anahola | $93,002 |
| Hakalau | $93,002 |
| Kahului | $93,002 |
| Kihei | $93,002 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI | 130 | $66,890 | $32.16 | $113,260 | $46,790 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 910 | $58,680 | $28.21 | $78,150 | $41,380 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Paralegal Programs by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
I’ve been considering a career in law and stumbled upon this post. The list seems solid, but does anyone have personal experience with any of these programs?
Wow, I didn’t realize there were so many quality paralegal programs in Hawaii! Thanks for compiling this list. Now, I just need to narrow down my choices and start applying.