Pennsylvania does not have specific educational requirements for paralegals.
Students who want to have the best job opportunities and the ability to earn a great salary complete a paralegal certificate program or a paralegal degree program.
These Pennsylvania programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
1 Bucks County Community College
About the School
Bucks County Community College offers degree and certificate programs at three locations, including in Newtown, Bristol, and Perkasie.
The college also offers the program in an online format.
Courses Offered
The college offers an Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies Program.
It also offers a 30-hour Paralegal Certificate Program for students who already have an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree.
Students who enroll in the associate degree program complete a minimum of 64 credit hours of study.
Some courses include Business Law, Civil Practice/Litigation Procedures, and Legal Research.
Students should understand the theory of law, and the substantive and procedural law concepts.
They should be able to show an understanding of the legal and the ethical limitations of a legal assistant.
Completing the Paralegal Studies program prepares students to work in law firms, for private attorneys, in government agencies, or in other capacities.
Contact Information
- Address: 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, PA 18940
- Phone: 215-968-8000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Community College of Philadelphia
About the School
The Community College of Philadelphia offers courses at the main campus and three regional locations, preparing students for their “Paths to Possibilities.”
Courses Offered
The school offers two programs for students who want to complete a paralegal program.
The Paralegal Studies – Law and Order, Opinion, and Evidence program develops the student’s knowledge of law.
Students learn to perform legal research, gain legal writing skills, learn how to analyze legal problems, and how to draft legal documents.
A professional within the legal community mentors students while they are in the program.
Courses in the 60-credit program include Introduction to Digital Forensics, Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Legal Technology, and Civil Litigation. Students earn an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree.
The Paralegal Studies Proficiency Certificate program is for students who want to work in entry level paralegal positions.
The 27-credit-hour program includes courses such as Legal Research and Writing, Electronic Discovery, and Civil Litigation.
Contact Information
- Address: 1700 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, PA., 19130
- Phone: 215-751-8000
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Pennsylvania Western University
About the School
Pennsylvania Western University offers students the option of completing their degree in a traditional, in-person format, or in an online format.
Courses Offered
Pennsylvania Western University recognizes that qualified paralegals are in high demand.
Students who enroll in the Bachelor’s in Legal Studies program gain skills in legal research and writing, litigation, legal reasoning, and other skills.
They gain knowledge of a variety of practice areas.
Courses in the 120-credit hour program include Methods of Legal Research, Law and Conflict Resolution, and Principles Practice Litigation.
Contact Information
- Address: 219 Meadville St., Edinboro, Pennsylvania, 16444
- Phone: 814-732-2000
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Lehigh Carbon Community College
About the School
Lehigh Carbon Community College offers its paralegal programs through a synchronous instruction format and requires students to complete at least nine semester credit hours through synchronous instruction.
Courses Offered
The college offers two options for paralegal students. One option is the Paralegal Studies A.A.S. program.
Students gain the skills to work as a paralegal and learn the limitations of a paralegal.
Completing an internship gives students practical, real-life experience.
Program courses include Law Office Technology, Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Contract Law and Business Organizations, and Law Office Management.
The 36-credit-hour Paralegal Studies Certificate program is for students who have completed 30 semester credit hours.
It prepares students to work in the public or the private sector.
Courses include Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Torts and Personal Injury Law, and Legal Writing.
Contact Information
- Address: 4525 Education Park Dr, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, 18078
- Phone: 610-799-2121
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Delaware Area Community College
About the School
The Delaware Area Community College paralegal program includes an associate degree program and an advanced certificate option.
Courses Offered
Work as a paralegal in Pennsylvania by completing the Paralegal Studies, Associate of Applied Science degree.
Gain the knowledge and skills to work as a general paralegal.
Graduates have skills in legal writing, legal research, property law, and criminal law.
They know the role of a paralegal in trial preparations and trial proceedings.
Courses in the 62-credit hour program include Technology in the Law, Civil Litigations and Tort Principles, and Paralegal Experience and Legal Ethics.
The Paralegal Studies, Certificate of Proficiency program is open only to students who already hold a minimum of an associate degree because it is an advanced studies program.
The 37-hour program includes Contract Law, Real Estate Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, and Civil Litigation and Tort Applications.
Contact Information
- Address: 901 S. Media Line Rd., Media, Pennsylvania, 19063
- Phone: 610-359-5050
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Harrisburg Area Community College
About the School
Harrisburg Area Community College offers an associate degree program in paralegal studies and an advanced certificate program.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Studies – Associate in Applied Science program consists of 61 credit hours.
Graduates can work in a variety of legal settings.
Some courses include Legal Research and Writing, Civil Litigation, and Paralegal Ethics and Professionalism.
The Paralegal Studies – Certificate program is a post-baccalaureate program open to students who have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
Students in the 21-credit-hour program complete courses that include Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Legal Research and Writing, Contracts, Paralegal Ethics and Professionalism, and Administrative Law.
Contact Information
- Address: One HACC Drive, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17110
- Phone: 800-ABC-HACC
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Peirce College
About the School
Pierce College has three paralegal studies programs, giving students the option to earn a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree.
Courses Offered
The Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies is a 61-credit-hour program offered in a 100 percent online format.
It allows students the opportunity to embed an employer recognized certification into the program.
Students take courses in tort law, contract law, criminal law, legal research, legal writing, and civil litigation.
The Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies consists of 121 hours of study.
It is offered in an online format. Students complete courses in criminal law, tort law, contract law, advanced legal research, advanced legal technology, and professional legal responsibility.
The Certificate of Proficiency in Paralegal Studies is for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
The 25-credit-hour program includes courses such as The Paralegal Profession, Civil Litigation, and Professional Legal Responsibility.
Contact Information
- Address: 1608 Walnut St. Suite 1900, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103
- Phone: 215-545-6400
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Central Penn College
About the School
Central Penn College offers an Associate in Science Paralegal Program in a hybrid format.
This means that some courses are offered in a traditional classroom setting, while other courses are offered online, or in off-campus settings.
Courses Offered
The Associate in Science Paralegal Program provides students with knowledge in legal terminology and in legal principles and procedures.
Students learn to perform legal research, to draft briefs, to use proper legal formatting, and how to prepare a legal case for court.
Some courses include Administrative Law, Legal Research and Writing, Contracts, Wills and Estates, and Family Law.
Contact Information
- Address: 600 Valley Rd., P.O. Box 309, Summerdale, Pennsylvania, 17093-0309
- Phone: 800-759-2727
- Website: Visit School Website
9 Villanova University
About the School
The Villanova University College of Professional Studies offers the Paralegal Professional Certificate program, which students may complete on a full-time daytime basis or in a part-time evening online format.
Courses Offered
Villanova University offers its Paralegal Professional Certificate program for students who can complete the program in just four months is they choose for the full-time option.
Students must have earned an associate degree to be accepted into the program.
The 15-course program includes courses such as Business Organizations, Civil Procedure and Litigation, Intellectual Property Law, Introduction to Paralegal Profession and Principles, and Paralegal Office Coordination.
The part-time program, held during evening hours, allows flexibility for busy professionals.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 E. Lancaster Ave., Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
- Phone: 610-519-4500
- Website: Visit School Website
10 Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
About the School
The Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law Paralegal Institute offers students the opportunity to start their career as a paralegal or to advance their current career with the Paralegal Studies Certificate program.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law Paralegal Institute to complete the paralegal studies certificate program enjoy the flexibility of completing the program requirements in a 100 percent online format.
The program consists of 33 credit hours of study.
Students take courses that allow them to complete the program in as little as 11 weeks full-time, or they can take up to 1.5 years to complete the program on a part-time basis.
Program courses include Legal Writing and Case Analysis, Civil Litigation, E-Discovery, Legal Research Methods, and Technology in the Law Office.
Contact Information
- Address: 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15282
- Phone: 412-396-6000
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Paralegal Salary Information
The paralegal field is growing, with expected job growth continuing over the next several years.
The salary for a paralegal depends on a variety of factors.
One factor that may determine a paralegal’s salary is their experience.
An entry-level paralegal starting their first job will likely make less than someone who has been a paralegal for several years.
Another factor that may influence a person who searches for the salary for a paralegal in Pennsylvania is that various websites may list a different salary range.
Payscale lists the average salary for a paralegal at $52,128.
Salary.com lists the median salary for a paralegal in Pennsylvania at $66,742, while Indeed lists the median salary for a paralegal at $59,931.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$59K |
|
$66K |
|
$75K |
Average Salary in Pennsylvania
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $70,968 |
| Pittsburgh | $65,873 |
| Allentown | $67,397 |
| Erie | $61,773 |
| Upper Darby | $70,968 |
| Reading | $66,526 |
| Scranton | $62,076 |
| Bethlehem | $67,397 |
| Lancaster | $65,518 |
| Bensalem | $72,898 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 390 | $58,910 | $28.32 | $78,670 | $34,570 |
| Altoona, PA | 40 | $50,450 | $24.26 | $69,300 | $30,520 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 40 | $59,940 | $28.82 | $82,610 | $37,660 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 100 | $45,710 | $21.98 | $59,770 | $34,440 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 70 | $47,540 | $22.86 | $63,390 | $34,060 |
| Erie, PA | 130 | $54,240 | $26.08 | $76,350 | $32,990 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 810 | $59,830 | $28.77 | $77,990 | $46,370 |
| Johnstown, PA | 40 | $48,940 | $23.53 | $74,240 | $29,340 |
| Lancaster, PA | 260 | $57,510 | $27.65 | $76,130 | $38,470 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 9,320 | $71,110 | $34.19 | $98,570 | $45,500 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 2,260 | $64,280 | $30.9 | $88,050 | $39,620 |
| Reading, PA | 170 | $58,960 | $28.34 | $78,940 | $38,130 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 240 | $64,870 | $31.19 | $76,390 | $44,420 |
| State College, PA | 30 | $56,540 | $27.19 | $74,870 | $36,880 |
| Williamsport, PA | 80 | $53,360 | $25.65 | $72,960 | $39,570 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 230 | $55,920 | $26.88 | $75,730 | $40,060 |
* 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’m currently researching paralegal programs in PA and this list is super helpful. Thanks for compiling it!
As someone considering a career change, seeing these top programs listed gives me confidence that I can find quality education in Pennsylvania.