A career in the legal profession offers excitement, financial stability, and variety.
However, spending years at university is not always an option.
Luckily, there are other legal career options.
Paralegals are not just assistants.
These professionals are vital members of any legal team.
Paralegals usually help attorneys prepare for hearings, trials, and corporate meetings.
But they can also Investigate and gather the facts of a case, hear affidavits, and prepare court documents and exhibits for trial.
New Mexico paralegals often work in law firms, non-profit organizations, corporate legal departments, and tribal and government agencies.
So, if you are detail-oriented and love a challenge, a career as a certified paralegal is a great option.
1 Central New Mexico Community College
About the School
Central New Mexico Community College sits in Albuquerque and serves roughly 29,000 undergraduate students.
It also offers a Paralegal Studies program through the School of Health, Wellness, and Public Safety.
Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), the New Mexico Bar Association also supports this highly regarded legal studies program.
Courses Offered
Central New Mexico Community College offers both a two-year Applied Associate of Science degree (AAS) in Paralegal Studies and a Post-graduate Certification Program.
All paralegal students must complete coursework that includes
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- American Law and Ethics
- Contracts
- Basic Legal Research and Writing
- A Primer to Civil Litigation.
Additionally, all students are also required to complete a paralegal internship.
The certification program requires many of the same subjects, focusing on the basic tenets of law, interviewing and investigation techniques, and data analysis.
There is a strong emphasis on drafting legal documents, research, and litigation support.
Contact Information
- Address: 900 University Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
- Phone: 505-224-3000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Doña Ana Community College
About the School
Part of New Mexico State University-Las Cruces, the main campus serves roughly 7,000 students.
The paralegal studies program offers an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies degree.
The program is operated at the East Mesa Campus of the Doña Ana Community College in Las Cruces.
Courses Offered
The Associate of Applied Science degree requires completion of roughly 76 credit hours, with 34 credit hours dedicated to paralegal courses.
Basic requirements include:
- Legal System for the Paralegal
- Legal Terminology
- Virtual Law Office Management
- Introduction to Litigation
- Torts (Contracts)
While not required for paralegal studies, internships are a great learning experience before graduation.
Financial Aid, grants, and Military Education benefits are all available to students.
Contact Information
- Address: East Mesa Campus, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd, Las Cruces, NM 88011
- Phone: 575-528-7000
- Website: Visit School Website
3 University of New Mexico (Albuquerque)
About the School
Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, is home to roughly 28,000 students seeking a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The school also offers a Certificate in Paralegal Studies through its online continuing education program.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Studies and Certification Program requires 96 hours of instruction.
Its practical focus is on an overview of the U.S. legal system.
Required coursework includes:
- Civil procedure
- Litigation
- Criminal procedure
- Evidence gathering and interviewing.
Courses on legal ethics, research, and writing are also part of the syllabus.
Tuition assistance, grants, and New Mexico vocational programs are available.
Military education benefits and other financial aid are also accepted.
The program is taught by both University of New Mexico faculty and practicing legal experts.
Contact Information
- Address: 1634 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- Phone: 855-520-6806
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Navajo Technical University (Crownpoint)
About the School
Navajo Technical University is a tribal college focusing on science and technological trades.
It also celebrates and teaches the cultures and traditions of the Navajo Nation.
Total student enrollment is slightly less than 1,000 students.
Courses Offered
The Law Advocate degree program is different from a Paralegal Certificate.
The Law Advocate degree satisfies all requirements needed for admission to the Navajo Nation Bar Association (NNBA).
This allows individuals to work within the legal and judicial systems of the Navajo Nation.
The program confers an Associate of Applied Sciences – Law Advocate degree.
Approximately 60 to 61 credit hours are required.
The program includes introductory courses in math, English, the sciences, and the humanities.
Coursework specific to the law major includes:
- Criminal Law
- Civil Law
- Family law
- Court procedure and practical skills
- Legal research and writing
- Legal ethics
- NNBA preparation
A law advocate internship with a Navajo Nation focus is required of all students in the program.
Contact Information
- Address: Lowerpoint Road, State Hwy 371, Crownpoint, NM 87313
- Phone: 505-387-7401
- Website: Visit School Website
5 San Juan College (Farmington)
About the School
Founded in 1956, San Juan College (SJC) is a two-year institution that serves roughly 10,000 students.
There are over 130 degree and vocational programs offered both in-person and online.
The San Juan College also partners with state universities to offer bachelor’s and master’s degree programs on its local campus.
Courses Offered
The two-year program confers an Associate of Applied Science in Legal Assistant and Paralegal Studies.
It requires roughly 66 credit hours in law, natural science, psychology, math, and English.
Some of the coursework that provides a legal foundation include:
- Introduction for Paralegals
- American Law
- American Indian Law
- Business Organization Law
- Trial Advocacy
Additionally, the Navajo Nation Bar Association Advocacy Training Program recognizes this degree pathway.
Tuition payment plans, grants, vocational services, and the GI Bill will be considered for financial assistance.
Contact Information
- Address: 4601 College Boulevard, Farmington, NM 87402
- Phone: 505-326-3311
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Santa Fe Community College (Santa Fe)
About the School
The main campus of Santa Fe Community College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is in the northern part of the state.
It has roughly 8,000 students in over 100 degree and continuing education programs.
Courses Offered
Santa Fe Community College has overlapping pathways for Certificates in Paralegal Studies or Legal Management.
It also offers a 60-credit, two-year degree as either an Associate of Arts in Legal Studies or an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies.
Typical coursework includes:
- Introduction to American Law for Paralegals
- Constitutional Law
- Evidence Law
- Legal Research and Writing
Both education pathways require the completion of a local legal internship for graduation.
One of the benefits of this program is that graduates are eligible to take the Certified Legal Assistant Exam from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA); a certification recognized throughout the United States.
Contact Information
- Address: 6401 Richards Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87508
- Phone: 505-428-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Clovis Community College (Clovis)
About the School
Once associated with Eastern New Mexico University, this community-driven institution focuses on two-year degrees, vocational training, and continuing education.
Courses Offered
Clovis Community College offers both a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies and a Certificate in Paralegal or Legal Assistant Studies.
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) pathway requires the completion of 62 credit hours.
The Certificate program consists of roughly 33 credit hours of instruction.
This degree is offered online and taught by practicing attorneys.
Some of the legal-centric coursework includes:
- Legal Writing, Terminology, and Research
- Torts (Contracts)
- Law Office Management
- Litigation
- Family Law
- Criminal & Evidentiary Procedures
- Wills and Estates Overview
Financial Aid, FAFSA, Tuition reimbursement, and payment plans are available directly through the College.
Contact Information
- Address: 417 Schepps Blvd, Clovis, NM 88101
- Phone: 575-769-2811
- Website: Visit School Website
8 New Mexico State University (Alamogordo)
About the School
The University of New Mexico, Alamogordo campus is in south-central New Mexico.
An extension of the main campus in Albuquerque, the Alamogordo campus boasts roughly 1,000 undergraduate students.
It offers a Paralegal Studies and Legal Assistant Certification program.
Courses Offered
The Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies and Certificate in Paralegal Studies require 60 hours of online instruction.
Its focus is on an overview of the U.S. legal system.
Required coursework includes:
- Civil procedure
- Litigation
- Criminal Law
- Evidence
- Interviewing techniques
Courses on legal ethics, research, and writing are also part of the syllabus.
After completion, students may sit for the Certified Paralegal Exam from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
These certifications provide additional employment opportunities in New Mexico and across the nation.
The program is taught by both New Mexico State University faculty and practicing legal experts.
Tuition assistance is offered through grants and New Mexico retraining programs.
Military education benefits and other financial aid are also accepted.
Contact Information
- Address: 1130 E. University Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88003
- Phone: 855-520-6806
- Website: Visit School Website
9 CLS by BARBRI
About the School
As an education partner with over 150 colleges and universities, BARBRI facilitates enrollment and course management of high-quality online paralegal training programs with flexible year-round enrollment.
They also offer continuing education and professional development courses.
Courses Offered
A Paralegal Certificate consists of 14 weeks of instruction.
These programs are available in text-only, self-directed, or live lecture programs.
All coursework is reviewed and taught by legal experts with real-world experience.
Introductory paralegal courses include:
- Legal Terminology, Ethics, and Litigation
- Introduction to the Evidentiary Process
- Legal Research
- Law Management
- Legal Writing
Financial aid and payment plans are available.
Contact Information
- Address: 12222 Merit Drive, Suite 1340, Dallas, TX 75251
- Phone: 800-522-7737
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Paralegal Salary Information
Once trained and certified, a paralegal professional can work in most states and legal specialties.
The demand for paralegals in New Mexico is growing.
Estimation of newly added paralegal and legal assistant positions in the state top 12% through 2032.
This is substantially higher than the national average growth of 4%.
The average paralegal salary in New Mexico ranges from $48,050 to $90,000 annually.
In New Mexico, those individuals who are multilingual or with specific training and a two-year degree can expect higher salaries.
Additional specifications, such as an NLA certification or NNBA admission, will have an extra competitive edge.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$54K |
|
$61K |
|
$69K |
Average Salary in New Mexico
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $63,062 |
| Las Cruces | $57,010 |
| Santa Fe | $63,382 |
| Rio Rancho | $62,861 |
| Roswell | $58,821 |
| Farmington | $62,216 |
| Alamogordo | $59,827 |
| Clovis | $60,420 |
| Hobbs | $59,874 |
| Sunland Park | $58,665 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 1,180 | $52,970 | $25.47 | $74,510 | $38,010 |
| Farmington, NM | 50 | $47,310 | $22.75 | $59,480 | $30,700 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 170 | $44,190 | $21.24 | $61,800 | $29,970 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 210 | $54,240 | $26.08 | $65,350 | $40,660 |
* 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
Enrolling in the paralegal program highlighted in this post was a turning point in my career trajectory. The small class sizes allowed for personalized attention, and the faculty’s dedication to student success was evident throughout the program. From legal research to drafting documents, I feel well-prepared to contribute meaningfully in a law office. Kudos to the program for delivering on its promises!
I appreciate the honesty in this post because it led me to the paralegal program I ultimately chose. The program’s emphasis on real-world application, combined with insightful guest lectures from practicing professionals, provided me with a well-rounded education. I now feel confident and prepared to tackle the challenges of the legal field, thanks to this recommendation.
I did extensive research before enrolling in a paralegal program, and the one recommended in this post stood out. The emphasis on practical skills and the strong network of alumni proved crucial in securing a job right after graduation. The program not only equips you with the necessary knowledge but also ensures you are job-ready in a competitive legal landscape.