Are you thinking about becoming a paralegal and residing in Washington, D.C.?
In Washington, D.C. alone, the growth rate is expected to increase from 17.6% from 2018 to 2028.
Overall, this percentage is much higher than the nationwide job growth of 12% within the same time frame.
So, what does this mean for you?
There’s a very good chance that you’ll be able to find employment soon after you complete a paralegal program.
This guide will provide you with useful information pertaining to both colleges and trade schools that offer paralegal programs in Washington, D.C., to help you get a jump start on your career.
1 Georgetown University
Georgetown University offers students the opportunity to acquire a certificate in paralegal studies.
The university also offers other graduate programs in liberal and professional studies.
Courses Offered
Some of the courses that are part of the paralegal studies program include legal technology, advanced litigation and trial practice, advanced legal research and writing, professional paralegal, and ediscovery.
The program is rigorous and helps students who are interested in performing paralegal duties in a corporate environment, legal arena, or government body.
Some students use this program as a stepping stone for law school.
Students have the option of enrolling in a summer program or a part-time evening program.
Following the completion of this program, students will enroll in a four-week internship at a law firm, federal agency, or private equity firm.
Contact Information
- Address: 640 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
- Phone: 202-687-8700
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Howard University School of Law
Howard University School of Law has been around since 1869.
Their mission is to enable and educate students, so they can successfully develop the necessary skills as lawyers.
It’s located just five miles from the main university campus.
Courses Offered
The approach of the paralegal program that is taken at Howard University School of Law is a bit different from other programs offered at other schools.
Howard School of Law focuses on training students in evidence, litigation, index research, discovery preparation, legal forms, and more.
Once students have successfully graduated, they have the opportunity to post their resumes directly on the school’s website.
Soon-to-be employers have access to the website.
The program costs $4,995 for on-campus students and $6,995 for students who wish to take the program online.
Some courses included in the program include ABA rules of ethics, preparing for depositions, file maintenance, motions, notices, and briefs, and the utilization of legal forms.
Contact Information
- Address: 2900 Van Ness Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
- Phone: 202-806-8000
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Penn Foster College
Penn Foster College is known as a college that offers some of the lowest tuition rates in the country.
They offer various programs, from paralegal studies to healthcare.
Their mission is to better the lives of their students through skills, knowledge, and credentials that can help them succeed.
Courses Offered
Penn Foster College offers a paralegal studies program that enables students to acquire an associate of science degree.
The program prepares students by making them familiar with legal terminology, legal research and writing, the U.S. court system, conducting legal investigations, and more.
Students can complete the program in as little as four semesters.
The estimated cost of this program is $3,555.
Students looking to enroll in the program must be at least 17 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED.
Courses are administered online, and some of the courses include:
- Investigations and interviews
- Legal terminology and critical thinking
- Law and legal system
- Information literacy
Contact Information
- Address: 925 Oak Street, Scranton, PA 18515
- Phone: 800-275-4410
- Website: Visit School Website
4 The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America has two campuses, one in Washington, D.C., and one in Virginia.
The school’s mission is to assist students in furthering their lives and careers through programs designed to improve or develop their skills.
The university has over 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
They also have more than 250 academic programs.
Courses Offered
You have the opportunity to earn your paralegal studies certificate in as little as one year from The Catholic University of America.
The program offers both online and on-campus courses.
Both scholarships and financial aid are available for students who need them.
There is also an associate degree program that takes two years to complete.
Students will learn the necessary skills to function as knowledgeable members of society upon completion of this program.
Classes are offered in the evening and take place once a week.
So what are some of the courses that this program covers?
There are various courses, some of which include:
- Civil Procedure
- Torts
- Paralegal Internship
- Legal Research and Writing
- Constitutional Law
- Administrative Law
- Trial Practice
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 620 Michigan Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20064
- Phone: 202-319-5000
- Website: Visit School Website
5 American University
The American University College of Law is known as a world-class learning center.
They offer various programs, including a clinical program, an advocacy program, an economic justice program, and more.
In fact, five of their programs have been ranked in the top 10 by U.S. News and World Report.
Courses Offered
Are you interested in furthering your career as a paralegal?
Perhaps a master’s degree in legal studies suits you well.
American University offers a masters program for those interested in furthering their law career but not interested in becoming lawyers.
This program will provide students with teachings and concepts of various legal aspects of U.S. legal practice.
Some of the courses that are part of this program include:
- Negotiation and Communication
- Drafting for Compliance Professionals
- Introduction to Courts and Law
- Introduction to Regulation and Compliance
Upon completion of this program, students will learn how to document legal matters, analyze legal documents, and work with attorneys and others in the legal field.
Contact Information
- Address: 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
- Phone: 844-279-0702
- Website: Visit School Website
6 University of the District of Columbia Community College
The University of the District of Columbia Community College first opened in 1851.
The parent school is the University of the District of Columbia.
It’s also located within minutes of the White House.
The university offers various programs, including accounting, art, architecture, biology, and much more.
It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The University of the District of Columbia Community College offers students the option to enroll in an associate applied science degree program for legal assistance.
This program can be completed online.
Students who enroll must complete a total of 62 credit hours and maintain at least a “C” in order to graduate.
Some of the courses that are part of this program include legal writing, legal research, business law, and legal processes.
Once this program has been completed entirely, students should be able to read and understand legal documents, have excellent time management and organizational skills, and have an understanding of the basic principles of the legal system, just to name a few.
Contact Information
- Address: 5171 South Dakota Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20017
- Phone: 202-274-5830
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Paralegal Institute of Washington, D.C.
The Paralegal Institute of Washington, D.C., offers a wide range of training packages in varying subjects.
They have a reputation for providing excellent training and outstanding graduates.
The legal community recognizes this institution as one of the biggest industry leaders.
They provide training that is affordable.
Certification can be completed in as little as 4 to 6 months.
The certificate that students receive from the school is recognized nationwide.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Institute of Washington, D.C., offers a certificate program for those interested in becoming paralegals.
Students must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma, have the ability to read and write English and be proficient at using a computer.
The program offered is self-paced and delivered via video lessons that are pre-recorded.
Students will have six months to complete all assignments and quizzes.
The final exam must also be completed.
Some of the courses covered in this program include:
- Torts/Injury Law
- Immigration
- Intellectual Property
- Partnerships/Corporations
- Ethics
- Family Law
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Ste. 302, Washington, D.C.
- Phone: 202-747-5534
- Website: Visit School Website
8 George Washington University
George Washington University offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.
They also have more than 12,000 internship opportunities.
They have multiple locations.
They have a Mount Vernon campus, a Foggy Bottom campus, a Virginia Science & Technology Campus, and an option for those willing to take courses online.
The D.C. location provides easy access to global media outlets, international institutions, and much more.
They are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
George Washington University offers a graduate certificate in paralegal studies.
The program is split into both online and classroom instruction.
It takes about 18 credit hours, or eight months, to complete.
Some courses included in the program are corporate and contract law, legal research and writing, American jurisprudence and litigation, and more.
Tuition is $30,780 per year.
A bachelor’s degree is required to enter into this program.
Once students have completed this program, they will have acquired the skills to work in a government agency, law firm, corporation, or other entity.
Contact Information
- Address: 2121 I St NW, Washington, D.C. 20051
- Phone: 202-994-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Salary Information
The average salary for paralegals in Washington, D.C., is $75,481.
This range can fall anywhere between $66,958 and $85,395.
Moreover, the final salary will depend on several factors, such as certifications, education, additional skills, and experience.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$66K |
|
$75K |
|
$85K |
Average Salary in Washington, DC
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington, D.C | $75,481 |
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