5 Best Paralegal Schools in Detroit, MI

The Wayne County Community College District started serving students more than 50 years ago.

It initially did not even have a building of its own to provide classes for its students.

Today, the state-of-the-art school has six campus locations.

Wayne County Community College District is committed to excellence in learning and teaching.

The focus on maximizing opportunities for academic and career success benefits students, faculty and staff as they all contribute to the future of the school.

There are more than 130 programs offered at the school.

Students can complete degree programs, certificate programs, or credential programs.

One program offered at the school is the Paralegal Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program.

The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Courses Offered

The two-year Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Technology program is offered at the downtown Curtis L. Ivery campus.

The 64-credit program prepares students to start working as a paralegal after completing this program or to transfer to a four-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Students learn about the legal system, legal concepts, and legal processes.

They also learn how paralegals provide support to attorneys and how their expertise can have an impact on legal cases.

Some of the courses in the program include:

• Legal Composition and Research I and II
• Law Office Procedures and Management
• Probate Law and Practice and Procedures
• Criminal Law Practice and Practice and Procedures

Oakland Community College is a short distance from Detroit.

The quick access allows commuters to easily attend classes at the school.

Students choose their program from more than 80 program options in high-demand fields.

The open admission policy means that students do not have to cross their fingers and hope to get into a competitive school.

Students still have to take placement tests.

The school indicates that it has the lowest tuition in Metro Detroit.

The in-district tuition for Winter and Summer 2025 is $111 per contact hour.

It is $115 for in-district residents starting with the Fall 2025 term.

The paralegal programs at Oakland Community College are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Courses Offered

Oakland Community College offers two paralegal programs.

The Paralegal Associate of Applied Science consists of 62 credits.

The two-year program provides students with the knowledge and skills that they need to start their paralegal career.

Courses offered in this program include:

• Legal Research
• Litigation
• Legal Technology
• Substantive Law

The Paralegal Post-Bachelor Certificate program consists of 32 credits.

The program is geared toward students who already have a Bachelor’s degree.

Students who enroll in this program often want to change careers.

They sometimes hold a paralegal degree but may want to advance their career opportunities.

Some courses offered in the certificate program include:

• Business Law I and II
• Evidence Preparation and Property Law
• Legal Ethics
• eDiscovery

Central Michigan University opened its doors in 1892.

It opened as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute.

One of the first goals of the school was to properly train instructors, since few had formal training in the “norms” of teaching at that time.

The school expanded over the years and changed its name.

It became Central Michigan University in 1959.

The school now offers 75 online programs, in addition to the traditional classroom programs.

A partnership with Ed2Go brings many of the programs to students who appreciate the open enrollment and self-paced programs.

One such program is the Online Certified Paralegal program.

Courses Offered

The Certified Paralegal program offered by Central Michigan University prepares students to gain entry-level skills to work as a paralegal.

The 100 percent online program helps students learn how to conduct legal interviews, how to perform legal research, and how to perform other duties that paralegals perform for their job.

Students who complete the program qualify to sit for the Certified Paralegal (CP) exam.

The school provides students with a voucher that covers the cost of the exam.

Some courses in the program include:

• Introduction to Legal Analysis
• Litigation Case Management
• Regulations of Paralegals
• Paralegal Employment

Students also complete a capstone project.

Oakland University has a vision of unlocking every individual’s potential.

The school also believes in leaving a long-lasting impact on the world through the power of education and research.

Offering programs that are relevant, flexible, and innovative allows the school to provide students with degree and certificate programs that help them to achieve their educational and career goals.

The school offers online programs, including the 11-month, 100 percent online cohort-based Paralegal Certificate program.

The program has approval from the American Bar Association.

Courses Offered

The Paralegal Certificate program introduces students to the work that paralegals do, focusing on real-world applications.

Students also gain an understanding of legal procedures as they progress through the courses.

The live online courses are offered three evenings each week over three 14-week terms.

Students who complete the program receive a Paralegal Program Certificate of Achievement.

Some courses offered in the program include:

• Substantive Law – Contracts
• Substantive Law – Torts
• Ethics and Introduction to the Law
• Litigation: Case Preparation Before Trial

The school also offers several special topics courses for those who are interested in professional development learning opportunities.

A few of those courses include:

• Employment Law
• Criminal Law
• Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights
• Probate Law

Western Michigan University believes that learning and an experience-driven education empowers students and leads them to have a meaningful career.

The school indicates that a Career Outcomes report showed that 97 percent of the students had instructors who made them excited about learning.

The report also showed that nine out of ten students are quickly employed in jobs that they like, and that are in their chosen field.

Students can complete their education in the traditional on-campus setting at Western Michigan University or by completing their program in an online format.

The 12-month Online Certified Paralegal program provides students with the knowledge that they need to get an entry-level paralegal job, and the skills that they need to thrive in their career as paralegals.

It also prepares them to sit for the Certified Paralegal Exam.

The cost of the program is $2,495.

Courses Offered

The courses that are offered in the 225-course-hour, self-paced paralegal program give students an understanding of the U.S. legal system and an understanding of litigation skills.

Students learn legal research skills and how to conduct legal interviews.

They also learn the soft skills that are needed to work as paralegals.

The coursework also prepares students to take the Certified Paralegal certification exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).

Some of the courses include:

• Introduction to the Legal System
• Attorneys and Paralegal Ethics
• Estates and Family Law
• Laws Affecting Business

Students also submit a capstone project.