North Carolina Paralegal Schools

As of 2018, approximately 10,160 paralegals were employed in North Carolina.¹ North Carolina paralegal schools enable aspiring paralegals to earn a paralegal degree and learn how to work in law firms preparing documents and aiding in case preparation. Budget concerns at law firms and other legal services employers are driving growth for hiring paralegals over attorneys, making North Carolina paralegal jobs one of the fastest-growing occupations in the state.

How to Become a Paralegal in North Carolina

Although paralegals in North Carolina are not required to become certified, the North Carolina State Bar maintains a voluntary certification program known as the Plan for Paralegal Certification. This program allows paralegals to become certified as a North Carolina Certified Paralegal or NCCP. The education requirements for North Carolina paralegal certification through this route are an associate degree, a bachelor's degree, or a master's degree in paralegal studies from a qualified program (one that is recognized by the North Carolina State Bar).

A North Carolina Certified Paralegal (NCCP) is recognized by the North Carolina Bar as having achieved the state's standard for practice in the paralegal field by meeting the education requirements and passing the certification exam. The NCCP credential must be renewed every year, which requires taking at least six hours of continuing paralegal education approved by the North Carolina State Bar.

North Carolina Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook

Paralegals in North Carolina earned an average salary of $47,210 as of 2018.¹ In metropolitan areas such as Raleigh, paralegals averaged $57,430 per year.¹ With a lower cost of living than the US average, a paralegal salary can go a long way in North Carolina. In terms of employment outlook, the state of North Carolina is expecting significant growth in the paralegal and legal assistant profession in the coming years. Through 2026, an average of 1,140 job openings per year is expected (including replacements), leading to a projected jobs growth rate of 17.3%.²

Profiles of Well-Known Schools in North Carolina

Methodist University - Fayetteville: The Department of Justice Studies at Methodist University offers an American Bar Association-approved minor in Legal Studies. This is a 21-credit hour program with required courses including Introduction to Legal Studies; Law and the Legal System; Legal Research; and an internship. The mandatory internship credit is earned through 115 onsite work hours within a law firm or nonprofit organization. The choice of three elective courses allow Legal Studies students to pursue a specialization such as Environmental Regulations, Contract Law, Business Organizations, or Family Law.

Central Piedmont Community College: Conveniently located in Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is home to an ABA-approved Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Technology program. With full-time study, the program can be completed in as few as five semesters. The majority of paralegal technology courses are offered on the Cato campus, with select courses offered through the downtown Charlotte campus. Courses are offered on-campus, online, and in hybrid formats, though students must complete at least 10 semester hours via traditional classroom instruction to meet degree requirements. Central Piedmont Community College also offers a 41-credit hour post-baccalaureate diploma in Paralegal Technology.

Wilson Community College - Wilson: Wilson Community College awards the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Technology to students who complete the 71-credit hour AAS curriculum. The program is recognized by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification as a Qualified Paralegal Studies Program; as such, program graduates are eligible to apply to take the North Carolina State Bar paralegal certification exam. Students learn how to perform fundamental and advanced paralegal tasks including research, probate work, drafting legal documents and communications, and office management. With full-time study, the program typically takes five semesters to complete.

Top Law Firms for Paralegal Graduates in North Carolina

• Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, LLP was founded in 1972, and since that time has focused on solving legal problems for its clients. Smith Debnam seeks to understand its clients' overall goals and needs in order to provide the best possible service. The firm places a priority on professional and community leadership cultivated through professional development and looks for paralegal graduates who will thrive in this type of environment.
• Poyner Spruill LLP has been ranked among the best law firms in North Carolina by US News and Best Lawyers in America. Its offices are located throughout the state, and attorneys at Poyner Spruill are experienced in many different areas of the law. The firm seeks out paralegal applicants who want to work in a team environment with a strong work ethic.
• The Van Winkle Law Firm has over one hundred years of history and is now one of the oldest law practices in North Carolina. It looks for highly qualified paralegals to join its respected practice.

Paralegal Schools and Programs in North Carolina

An asterisk indicates that one or more of the school's programs have been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (Hudson)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Certificate | Paralegal Technology: Family Law
Certificate | Paralegal Technology: Wills and Estates

Cape Fear Community College (Wilmington)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Diploma | Paralegal Technology
Certificate | Paralegal Technology: Civil Litigation
Certificate | Paralegal Technology: Real Property

Carteret Community College (Morehead City)*
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | Paralegal Technology

Central Carolina Community College (Sanford)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Diploma | Paralegal Technology

Central Piedmont Community College (Charlotte)*
Associate of Science | Paralegal Technology
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma | Paralegal Technology

Coastal Carolina Community College (Jacksonville)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology

Davidson County Community College (Thomasville)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Certificate | Paralegal Technology: Civil Litigation
Certificate | Paralegal Technology: Real Estate
Certificate | Criminal Justice Technology: Investigative Principles

Duke University (Durham)
Certificate | Paralegal

Durham Technical Community College (Durham)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology (online)
Certificate | Business Law
Certificate | Civil Litigation
Certificate | Bankrutcy Law
Diploma | Paralegal Technology

Fayetteville Technical Community College (Fayetteville)*
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Certificate | Latent Evidence (online)
Diploma | Paralegal Technology

Forsyth Technical Community College (Winston Salem)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Certificate | Paralegal Technology: Business Practice
Certificate | Paralegal Technology: Family Law
Certificate | Paralegal Technology: Litigation
Certificate | Paralegal Technology: Personal Injury
Certificate | Paralegal Technology: Real Property
Certificate | Paralegal Technology: Wills and Estate Administration
Diploma | Paralegal Technology

Gaston College (Dallas)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Associate of Applied Science | Legal Office Administration
Certificate | Legal Office Administration: Basic (online)
Certificate | Legal Office Administration: Intermediate (online)
Certifcate | Paralegal Office Administration

Guilford Technical Community College (Jamestown)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology

Halifax Community College (Weldon)
Associate in Applied Science | Paralegal Technology

Johnston Community College (Smithfield)
Associate of Science | Paralegal Technology
Certificate | Paralegal Technology
Diploma | Paralegal Technology

Meredith College (Raleigh)*
Minor | Pre-Law
Certificate | Paralegal: Civil Litigation
Certificate | Paralegal: Business Organizations
Certificate | Paralegal: Real Estate

Methodist University (Fayetteville)*
Minor | Legal Studies
Pre-Professional Program | Pre-Law

Pitt Community College (Winterville)*
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Associate of Applied Science | Office Administration: Legal
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma | Paralegal Technology
Certificate | Legal Office Administration
Certificate | Legal Office Administration (online)

South Piedmont Community College (Polkton)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Diploma | Paralegal Technology
Certificate | Paralegal Technology

Southwestern Community College (Sylva)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology

Surry Community College (Dobson)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Certificate | Paralegal Technology

Vance-Granville Community College (Henderson)
Associate in Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Diploma | Paralegal Technology
Certificate | Paralegal Technology

Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem)
Master of Studies in Law

Wake Technical Community College (Raleigh)
Certificate | Paralegal

Western Piedmont Community College (Morganton)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology

Wilson Community College (Wilson)
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology

*Approved by the American Bar Association

Additional Resources

• North Carolina Paralegal Association - A non-profit that promotes the profession of paralegals in the state of North Carolina by helping them learn, share, and grow.
• North Carolina Bar Association - The Paralegal Division of the NCBA provides opportunities to paralegals in certification, education, service, and leadership.

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References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2018 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
2. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm