California Paralegal Schools

California has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the country in 2010, so why do California paralegal schools make sense? The rate of growth for paralegal jobs actually grows in bad economic climates. Pair that with good salary expectations and earning a paralegal degree at California paralegal schools could make sense to those aspiring to a legal career.

Profiles of Well Known Schools

San Francisco State University: Within San Francisco State University’s College of Extended Learning is the city’s only ABA approved Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Students can complete the program in as little as 18 months or take as long as four years, during which they enroll in 30 credit hours. The first seven courses are core paralegal subjects while the upper level electives are rotated between four different specializations: Corporate and Business Practice, Advanced Litigation, Estate Planning, and Recommended For All Areas. A dozen star paralegal faculty teach at SFSU and are all current/ former legal professionals.

How to Become a Paralegal in California

There are a number of different programs of varying lengths at California paralegal schools. Coursework in general includes learning how the legal system works in both civil and criminal matters, as well as how to research legal matters and write effectively. Since paralegals can perform many tasks for law firms and companies, except representing clients or offering legal advice, many California paralegal programs also include more in-depth study of bankruptcy law and business law.

Paralegal Quote: “We work in stealth, in often unrecognized contributions that may appear small when taken individually, but which have enormous ripple effect in the aggregate. I gain intrinsic satisfaction from the knowledge that my work produces this benefit.” -Barbara Liss, President of the Santa Barbara Paralegal Association

Featured Paralegal Schools in California

There are more than a dozen California paralegal schools that have American Bar Association certification. They include:

Cerritos College in Norwalk which offers associate’s degree program and a certificate program.
University of La Verne in Los Angeles County, situated between Orange County and Los Angeles.
UC Irvine’s Extension Program that combines online and classroom setting for an ABA recognized certificate.
A number of online options could also fit for those with tight schedules, including Herzing University and Everest College.

Top Law Firms for Paralegal Graduates in California

With locations across California, Best Best & Krieger LLP provides full service consulting and litigation for its clients in a range of industries. The firm is continually growing, and its staff enjoys a congenial working atmosphere and high job satisfaction. Loeb & Loeb LLP is regularly recognized as one of the top entertainment and media law firms in California, and its attorneys frequently receive recognition from around the US for their accomplishments. Established in 1909, Loeb & Loeb also works in other practice areas. Staff at Loeb & Loeb are organized in teams to better service its variety of clients, and the company considers it a priority to have senior attorneys involved in all work provided to clients. Crowell & Moring LLP has been ranked as one of the top 50 law firms in the US by American Lawyer. Crowell & Moring is a global company with offices across the US, including offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orange County. It hires paralegal graduates to staff multiple departments in its effort to provide top quality service to clients.

California Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that between 2008 and 2018, job openings are expected to grow 30 percent for paralegals, among the highest rate of any sector. There are also a number of opportunities with high wages, with the average annual salary close to $60,000 (source: BLS). Along with law firms, a number of tech companies in Silicon Valley and large city governments throughout the state offer possibilities for employment in the private and public sector.

Online and California Paralegal Schools

Kaplan University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate
BS in Paralegal Studies
AAS in Paralegal Studies

Virginia College
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

BAC-Paralegal Studies
AS - Paralegal Studies

Penn Foster Schools
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

Paralegal
Legal Secretary

Stratford Career Institute
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

Legal Assistant/Paralegal

Charter College
Campuses: 1Oxnard
Popular Degrees:

AS - Paralegal Studies
Certificate - Paralegal Studies

Platt College
Campuses: 1Riverside
Popular Degrees:

Paralegal Studies Associate of Arts Degree
Paralegal Studies Bachelor of Arts Degree

Concord Law School
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

Executive J.D. SM Program
Juris Doctor Program

Keiser University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

Legal Studies, BA (Online)
Paralegal Studies, AA (Online)

Walden University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

B.S. in Political Science & Public Administration - Law and Legal Studies

Post University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

B.S. in Legal Studies - Law and Technology
A.S. in Legal Studies
B.S. in Legal Studies - Law Office Administration

Featured Paralegal School in CA

Evergreen Valley College (San Jose, CA) >>Request Information!
www.evc.edu
(408) 223-6430

Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate in Arts | Paralegal Studies
Associate in Science | Paralegal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Schools in California

California Lutheran University (Thousand Oaks, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Minor | Legal Studies

Canada College (Redwood City, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate in Science | Paralegal
Certificate | Paralegal

Cerro Coso Community College (Ridgecrest, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

Chaffey College (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

City College of San Francisco (San Francisco, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate in Arts | Paralegal/Legal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal/Legal Studies

Coastline Community College (Fountain Valley, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate in Arts | Paralegal

College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies

College of the Sequoias (Visalia, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Law Office Clerk/Receptionist
Certificate | Paralegal

Cuesta College (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Paralegal
Certificate | Paralegal

Cuyamaca College (El Cajon, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate in Science | Paralegal Studies

De Anza College (Cupertino, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies

El Camino Community College (Torrance, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate in Arts | Paralegal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies

Empire College (Santa Rosa, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Paralegal
Certificate | Legal Office Administration
Certificate | Legal Secretary

Everest College (Los Angeles, CA; Ontario, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Diploma | Paralegal

Fremont College (Cerritos, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies

Fullerton College (Fullerton, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate in Science | Paralegal Studies
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

Heald College (Concord, CA; Fresno, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Paralegal

Humphreys College (Stockton, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate in Arts | Court Reporting
Associate in Science | Court Reporting
Associate of Arts | Court Reporting
Associate of Arts | Legal Office Administration
Associate of Science | Court Reporting
Associate of Science | Legal Office Administration
Bachelor of Arts | Paralegal Studies
Bachelor of Science | Court Reporting
Bachelor of Science | Court Reporting (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Court Reporting | CSR (Online) (online program)
Certificate of Completion | Court Reporting
Certificate of Completion | Legal Office Administration
Certificate of Completion | Paralegal Studies

ICDC College (Los Angeles, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Paralegal
Associate Degree | Paralegal (online program)
Diploma | Paralegal

Intercoast Colleges (West Covina, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Legal Office Assistant
Certificate | Paralegal Specialist
Certificate of Completion | Legal Office Assistant

ITT Technical Institute (Anaheim, CA; Clovis, CA; Concord, CA; Lathrop, CA; Oxnard, CA; Rancho Cordova, CA; San Bernardino, CA; San Diego, CA; San Dimas, CA; Sylmar, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Studies
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies

John F Kennedy University (Pleasant Hill, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Paralegal

Kaplan College (Bakersfield, CA; Clovis, CA; North County, CA; Palm Springs, CA; Panorama City, CA; Sacramento, CA; Salida, CA; San Diego, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Studies
Diploma | Legal Administrative Assistant

Kensington College (Santa Ana, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Paralegal
Certificate | Paralegal Assistant
Diploma | Legal Administrative Assistant

Los Angeles City College (Los Angeles, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies

Los Angeles Mission College (Sylmar, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Legal Assisting/Paralegal
Certificate | Legal Assisting/Paralegal
Certificate | Paralegal (online program)

Los Angeles Southwest College (Los Angeles, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Law Office Specialist 1
Associate of Arts | Law Office Specialist: Civil Law
Associate of Arts | Law Office Specialist: Litigation

Merced College (Merced, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Paralegal
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

Merritt College (Oakland, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies

MTI College (Sacramento, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Paralegal
Certificate | Paralegal (online program)
Diploma | Legal Administrative Assistant

North-West College (Pasadena, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Pasadena City College (Pasadena, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

Platt College (Alhambra, CA; Ontario, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies
Bachelor of Arts | Paralegal Studies

Riverside Community College (Riverside, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies

Sage College (Moreno Valley, CA)
Paralegal Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Court Reporting
Bachelor of Science | Legal Studies
Diploma | Court Reporting

Page Edited by Charles Sipe.