As a paralegal, you will work under a lawyer and help aid in various cases.
A paralegal is also known as a legal assistant and isn’t qualified to represent clients, unlike a lawyer.
However, they play just as important a role in the justice system.
If you want to become a paralegal in New Orleans, LA, keep reading our summary of the best schools/programs.
1 Loyola University, New Orleans
Loyola University offers an online training certificate program for becoming a paralegal.
Students can attend if they want to advance their professional skills or are just starting out.
The program will enable students to earn their paralegal certificate independently.
Courses Offered
Loyola University provides a Paralegal Certificate that prepares students for a career in as little as six months.
The curriculum includes four courses: essential skills for paralegals, tort law, Louisiana and Louisiana procedures, and contract law.
The courses run for six months and can take 10–15 hours of work per week.
The program is designed, so students can complete the coursework independently.
However, students must complete the coursework by the end of the six months.
After completing the coursework, students will have learned legal writing, terminology, legal research, and authority.
They will also gain knowledge in trial preparation, investigation, discovery, and more.
Students taking the certificate program will receive interactive study support tools and online resources.
The coursework is separated into chapter-by-chapter lectures to help students better master the material.
In addition, students will be given electronic and text-based note cards to help with studying.
The online platform also provides many quizzes, animations, e-lectures, charts, and mock exams to help track progress.
Contact Information
- Address: 6363 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118
- Phone: 504-865-3530
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Delgado Community College
Delgado Community College offers an online training course to prepare students to become certified paralegals.
Students who attend will be prepared for the Certified Paralegal (CP) exam offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
Attendees will also learn to perform various tasks that paralegals will complete daily.
Courses Offered
The course is broken down into 23 different sections, with the last one being the course final exam.
Each section is tailored to a different aspect of the paralegal job.
Some examples include paralegals in the legal system, attorney and paralegal ethics, and legal interviews.
Each course is designed to teach students different aspects of the job.
In addition, students will see a wide range of practices, such as family law, criminal, property, etc.
At the end of the course, students will be able to sit for their exam and, if passed, will become certified paralegals.
From there, students can choose to specialize by taking additional courses.
Contact Information
- Address: 615 City Park Avenue, New Orleans, LA
- Phone: 504-671-5000
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Tulane University School of Professional Advancement
Tulane University offers a post-baccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies.
The program is designed to advance your existing career in the paralegal field.
Students applying must have already completed their bachelor’s degree in paralegal.
The courses are designed to help prepare you for law school or to further your career in the paralegal field.
Courses Offered
The program consists of nine courses, each worth two credits.
The degree is a post-baccalaureate certificate (PBC) in paralegal studies, approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
The curriculum focuses on legal skills and substantive law.
Students will also need to complete a 100-hour internship at a law office, which can help them develop job searching skills.
The course professors are also practicing attorneys and paralegals, which can help guide students looking to further their careers.
While all classes may be completed remotely, students must complete at least nine GLSP coursework credits, equivalent to three GLSP classes, in person or via synchronous transmission.
Contact Information
- Address: Richardson Bldg. #5, Suite 204, 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70118
- Phone: 504-217-5773
- Website: Visit School Website
4 The University of New Orleans
The University of New Orleans offers an online program that enables students to become certified paralegals.
The course is designed to train students to join the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
Students who complete the course will gain membership in NALA’s Certified Paralegal (CP) exam review courses.
The online program is offered by Ed2Go, an online service that provides certificates and training.
The University of New Orleans accepts Ed2Go’s standards, and students can learn online while earning a certificate of completion from the school.
Students will not attend in-person training, as they must find supervision after becoming certified.
However, the course is self-paced and may be started at any time.
Courses Offered
The online program on Moodle or Zoom has 225 course hours.
Students will learn the fundamentals of the U.S. legal system and gain skills such as mastering legal research and interviews.
Attending students will also learn litigation communication skills, soft skills for workplace effectiveness, and the necessary skills required to thrive in the legal industry.
The curriculum includes 21 different subsections, each designed to teach the fundamentals of the legal system.
Some include litigation management, tort law, investigation in a law office, and more.
Students will also need to take a capstone course.
Once completed, students will be prepared to sit for the NALA’s certification exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA 70148
- Phone: 504-280-4756
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Nunez Community College
Nunez Community College offers three certificate degrees for paralegal studies: the Paralegal Skills, Career and Technical Certificate, Paralegal Studies, Certificate of Technical Studies, and Paralegal Studies, Associate of Arts.
Students will have different coursework depending on which certificate they apply for.
Courses Offered
The courses are designed to educate and train paralegals to work under attorneys’ supervision in various settings, including insurance, government, and law firms.
The students can function effectively in an office or court environment, demonstrate written skills, and draft legal documents.
They can also perform legal research, enhance their reasoning skills, and identify ethical issues in legal environments.
The Paralegal Studies certificate in technical studies requires 30 course hours.
Students who attend can choose three paralegal electives.
After completing the coursework, students can sit for the certificate exam.
The Paralegal skills, career, and technical certificate is designed to assist students in learning basic legal concepts.
It’s helpful for those wanting to start in the legal field and is excellent if you’re looking for immediate employment.
The certificate has a total of nine-course hours, which are broken down into three separate classes.
Lastly, the Paralegal Studies Associate of Arts covers the broadest topics and is designed as a prerequisite to a bachelor’s degree.
Students who attend this program will be able to function in an office or court environment, demonstrate written skills, and review laws and legal opinions.
There are a total of 60 course hours, with five electives.
Contact Information
- Address: 3710 Paris Rd, Chalmette, LA 70043
- Phone: 504-278-6467
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Loyola University, New Orleans |
|
#2 | Delgado Community College |
|
#3 | Tulane University School of Professional Advancement |
|
#4 | The University of New Orleans |
|
#5 | Nunez Community College |
Paralegal Salary Information
The average paralegal in New Orleans makes an average of $66,549.
Those working on the lower end will make a minimum of $52,197, while those on the high end will make $83,250.
Pay for paralegals is equivalent to specialization or years of experience.
So, the more experience or specialization, the higher the pay.
The national average for paralegals in the United States is between $60,300 to $121,420.
So, paralegals in New Orleans are below the national average.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$52K |
|
$66K |
|
$83K |
Average Salary in New Orleans, LA
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $66,549 |
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