Thinking about getting a paralegal education in Utah?
If you’ve ever imagined yourself sitting across the conference table from legal clients, filing motions and pleas in court on behalf of attorneys, and keeping up with the latest updates in Utah and US laws, becoming a paralegal in Utah may be the ideal career for you.
Utah paralegals provide hands-on support for local area attorneys and assist them with critical legal tasks to help them build, compile, and present legal cases in court.
Paralegals in Utah may also be taking on more responsibilities as changes in legal licensing requirements expand their legal capabilities and practice areas under the LPP program.
This comprehensive guide to the best paralegal programs in Utah provides prospective students with an overview of the area’s best legal programs.
The programs highlighted below offer certificates, diplomas, and degrees for aspiring paralegals and pre-law students in an online, on-campus, or hybrid format that combines the two.
Utah Paralegal Job Duties
Wondering what a day in the life of a Utah paralegal looks like before committing to a paralegal program?
The following are common tasks carried out by legal assistants as they provide hands-on support for practicing attorneys and Utah trial lawyers.
Administrative Support for Licensed Attorneys
Utah paralegals provide indispensable legal support for area lawyers.
Their role involves meticulous case management.
Legal assistants are responsible for ensuring critical legal deadlines are met, managing attorney and client calendars, and notifying them of when they should appear in court.
Paralegals also organize attorney case files and prepare legal documents for presentation in court.
Legal Research and Interviewing to Uncover Hidden Details in Legal Cases
Legal assistants take on the tasks involved in legal research to uncover hidden components of civil cases and criminal trials.
They perform online and offline research tasks to add relevant information to client files.
Document Management and Drafting Legal Documents to Present in Court
Today’s paralegals are in high demand by attorneys who need help with drafting legal documents, including contracts between parties, court pleadings, and motions which are directly submitted to the courts to begin and support ongoing legal proceedings.
Legal Case Preparation and File Organization
Attorneys often rely on the attention to detail and legal research skills of paralegals as they prepare their court cases for trial.
Paralegals are responsible for organizing documents, forms, evidence, and other key ingredients of civil and criminal cases in chronological order for presentation and scrutiny by judges and juries.
Legal Filings and Pleas
One of the most exciting job duties of paralegals involves drafting legal filings, pleas, and motions and submitting them on behalf of attorneys to local courthouses to begin, amend, or end ongoing civil and criminal cases.
Client and Witness Interviewing
Paralegals in Utah take on the role of legal liaisons for attorneys when they meet with witnesses and clients and relay key details and case-related information to practicing attorneys.
Best Paralegal Programs in Utah
Utah’s best paralegal programs offer students the opportunity to begin or enhance their legal education.
Many paralegal programs now offer online learning options that make it easier for working paralegals to get web-based paralegal training online.
Whether you’re an aspiring paralegal wanting to begin your paralegal study online or on campus, Utah has a few top-notch options for accredited paralegal education and offers one ABA-approved opportunity!
There are five active paralegal programs in Utah — one of these programs has been approved by the ABA at Salt Lake Community College.
Below, we provide details about some of the best paralegal programs in Utah, along with examples of courses they offer and estimated tuition for new paralegals.
1 Salt Lake Community College
About the Program
Salt Lake Community College operates an American Bar Association-approved legal studies program that prepares local area students to provide hands-on administrative support for local area attorneys.
Students who take paralegal studies at SLCC are prepared to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree.
Their 64-credit hour program helps students who are new to the legal field and working paralegals to learn the required skills to pass national certification exams and to work as entry-level paralegals supporting Utah lawyers.
SLCC’s legal studies program is approved by the American Bar Association.
Courses Offered
- Paralegal Procedures
- Introduction to Law
- Computer Essentials for Paralegals
- Legal Research and Writing
- Evidence
- Paralegal Procedures
- Ethics
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Introduction to Civil Litigation
- Paralegal Practicum
Program Costs: $4,086.00 – $12,734.00 per semester.
Contact Information
- Address: 4600 South Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, Utah - 84123
- Phone: 801-957-7522
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Southern Utah University
About the Program
Southern Utah University has a PreLaw and Paralegal Program that prepares its students to become integral parts of the American Justice System.
Their program accepts students from all majors who want to begin a legal career track and for them to earn an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Legal Studies.
Paralegal students who take classes through SUU’s legal studies program gain access to their Legal Studies Student Association, which provides legal resources and support for degree-seeking students.
SUU offers paralegal internships for students to gain hands-on practice working in courtrooms and other legal environments as they provide support for licensed attorneys and other legal professionals.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Criminal Law
- Civil Procedure
- Legal Ethics and Professionalism
- Constitutional Law in Political Science
- Business Law in Accounting
- Torts
- Family Law
- Paralegal Internship
Program Costs: $3,600.00 plus supplies and fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 351 West University Boulevard, Cedar City, Utah - 84720
- Phone: 435-596-7700
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Utah Valley University
About the Program
Utah Valley University has a Licensed Paralegal Practitioner Program that prepares students for the upcoming changes in state licensure that allow practicing paralegals to have more legal autonomy.
Their program emphasizes issues related to family law, landlord-tenant relations, and debt collection practices.
UVU’s debt collection program provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to function according to the US Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
The Family Law program emphasizes providing support for the legal needs of families and their offspring.
Landlord-Tenant Law for LPP gives students the foundational knowledge to help clients prepare for resolving landlord-tenant disputes.
Courses Offered
- Debt Collection Law for LPP
- Landlord / Tenant Law for LPP
- Family Law for LPP
- Ethical Rules for LPP
Program Costs: $5,614.00 – $17,174.00
Contact Information
- Address: 800 West University Parkway, Orem, Utah - 84058
- Phone: 801-853-8888
- Website: Visit School Website
4 University of Utah
About the Program
The University of Utah SJ Quinnery College of Law offers students the opportunity to enhance their legal education by earning a Master of Legal Studies.
University of Utah’s one-year program helps students learn about providing legal services and support for American attorneys in both an online and in-person format.
Students who enroll in UUs paralegal education programs can learn the foundations of law and legal specialties like family law, business law, and labor and employment law.
Courses Offered
- Family Law
- Contracts in the Modern Economy
- Basic Mediation Training
- Comparative Legal Studies
- Lawsuits and Litigation
- Labor and Employment
- Business and IP in the Modern Economy
- Conflict and Legal Crisis Management
Program Costs: $10,500.00 – $16,545.00
Contact Information
- Address: 383 South University Street, Salt Lake City, Utah - 84112
- Phone: 801-581-5833
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Brigham Young University
About the Program
BYU prepares Utah area paralegals for certification via their Political Science department.
They offer a 44 credit hour Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies that puts students on track for a Legal Studies Bachelor’s degree.
BYU students gain a comprehensive legal education that equips them with foundation, substantive, and practical legal knowledge.
They offer a variety of legal studies courses for the core curriculum and elective courses that include Urban and Local Politics, International Law And Public Ethics, and Statistics for Lawyers.
Courses Offered
- Principles of American Politics
- American Government and Politics
- Constitutional Law in America
- Statistics for Lawyers
- Jurisprudence
- International Law
- Congress Internship
- Human Rights
- Pre-law Review Journal Writing
- Advanced Legal Internship
Program Costs: $6,496.00 – $12,992.00 per credit hour.
Contact Information
- Address: 745 Kimball Tower, Provo, Utah - 84602
- Phone: 801-422-3423
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Salt Lake Community College |
|
#2 | Southern Utah University |
|
#3 | Utah Valley University |
|
#4 | University of Utah |
|
#5 | Brigham Young University |
Paralegal Salary Information
Utah Paralegals make an average salary that falls below the national average at just under $ 37,000.00 per year.
The low end of the salary scale shows that Utah-based paralegals make around $25,829.00.
Paralegals on the higher end of the Utah Paralegal salary scale make about $52,141.00 per year.
Prospective paralegals who want to increase their earning potential in Utah can increase their on-the-job experience, earn national certifications, or choose an in-demand legal specialty.
NALA is the National Association of Legal Assistants that provides guidance, resources, and support for certified paralegals and those on the paralegal certification track.
This well-known certification agency issues some of the industry’s most sought-out certifications including the Certified Paralegal and the Advanced Certified Paralegal certificate.
Paralegal students who are interested in following the American Bar Association and NALA’s recommended curriculum and certification tracks can find details about online paralegal programs and more about the best paralegal programs in Utah by visiting the NALA website.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$56K |
|
$63K |
|
$71K |
Average Salary in Utah
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $64,341 |
| Wellington | $60,799 |
| Provo | $61,671 |
| Sandy | $64,167 |
| Orem | $61,671 |
| Ogden | $62,134 |
| West Jordan | $64,109 |
| Layton | $61,902 |
| Eden | $61,960 |
| Delta | $60,799 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan, UT-ID | 40 | $51,580 | $24.8 | $71,580 | $37,450 |
| Ogden-Clearfield, UT | 270 | $53,620 | $25.78 | $75,840 | $37,690 |
| Provo-Orem, UT | 340 | $57,600 | $27.69 | $84,600 | $38,510 |
| St. George, UT | 130 | $50,760 | $24.4 | $65,150 | $39,930 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 2,260 | $58,660 | $28.2 | $83,610 | $40,670 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
In-Demand Specialties for Paralegals in Utah
Pursuing careers in the most in-demand paralegal specialties can give practicing legal assistants a financial and competitive edge.
In-demand legal specialties are those where local attorneys are in dire need of help and support in a specific area of law.
Following are a few of Utah’s most in-demand legal specialties for new and aspiring paralegals to consider.
Corporate Law
Paralegals who specialize in areas surrounding corporate law provide legal support for attorneys as they represent or defend corporate clients in areas including business formations, contract law, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance.
Intellectual Property Law
Legal assistants provide hands-on support to Utah attorneys in the areas of patent law, copyright law, licensing and contracts, trade secrets, and emerging technologies.
Medical Malpractice Law
US paralegals are in high demand for supporting local area lawyers in medical malpractice law case evaluation, legal research, medical expert coordination, and interviewing, document management, and compiling detailed evidence and notes for trial preparation.
Pursuing a paralegal career with a concentration in one of these specialty areas can help paralegals boost their legal knowledge, and skills, and earn bigger paychecks!
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
Utah offers some excellent options for aspiring paralegals. These programs are a testament to the commitment to providing top-notch education in the legal field.
Having completed a paralegal program in Utah, I can attest to the quality of education and the strong foundation it provided for my career.
Dixie State University (DSU) offers a fantastic paralegal program that is both affordable and comprehensive. The program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in various legal environments. DSU’s curriculum covers all key areas of paralegal studies, including legal research, writing, and specific areas of law such as family law and criminal law. The instructors are knowledgeable and bring a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom. One of the significant advantages of DSU’s program is the small class sizes, which allow for more personalized attention and mentorship. Additionally, DSU has strong connections with the local legal community, providing excellent internship and job placement opportunities for graduates. For anyone looking to start a paralegal career in Utah, Dixie State University is a great option.
The paralegal program at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is another top contender in Utah. SLCC’s program is affordable and flexible, offering both day and evening classes to accommodate working students. The curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation in legal principles, including courses in litigation, legal ethics, and contract law. The faculty at SLCC are experienced practitioners who provide practical knowledge and mentorship. One of the standout features of SLCC’s program is the strong focus on employability, with excellent internship opportunities and career support services. Graduates from SLCC have a good track record of finding employment in reputable law firms and legal departments across Utah.
Weber State University (WSU) offers one of the best paralegal programs in Utah. The program is ABA-approved, which is a significant credential for anyone entering the legal field. WSU’s curriculum is thorough, covering essential areas such as legal writing, research, and various branches of law. The faculty members are highly knowledgeable and approachable, always willing to help students succeed. One of the highlights of the WSU program is the strong emphasis on practical skills, with plenty of opportunities for internships and real-world legal experience. The university also has excellent career services that help students with job placements and networking within the legal community. WSU is definitely a great choice for aspiring paralegals.