If you’re passionate about the legal field but aren’t sure becoming an attorney is right for you, a career as a paralegal could be the ideal fit. Or perhaps you’re interested in first gaining a solid foundation in law before heading to law school. Either way, California offers excellent programs at the certificate, associate, and bachelor’s levels to help you achieve your goals. In this guide, STEPS will highlight some of California’s top online paralegal programs so you know exactly what to expect. You’ll also find helpful resources tailored specifically for paralegal students and professionals, plus answers to frequently asked questions.Top Online Paralegal Certification Programs in California (CA)
Paralegal Certificate in California
A certificate program is the fastest and most affordable option to launch a new career as a California paralegal. These programs are open to applicants with high school diplomas or GEDs. Many certificate programs are at least partially online and usually self-paced or part-time, with graduation taking between six to 24 months.
University of California Santa Barbara
The paralegal studies certificate program offered by UC Santa Barbara emphasizes practical skills that paralegals must know, from interviewing to document preparation to case planning. This training also prepares you to work for government agencies and corporations. You’ll learn about different areas of the law, so you have knowledge that allows you to work in diverse settings. In addition to completing classes, you’ll participate in an internship. During this time, you practice the skills you learned in a real-world setting. This will give you the opportunity to further develop your writing, speaking, and listening skills.
Duration: 24 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $6,630
Curriculum:
- Fundamentals of Paralegal Studies
- Case Management
- Civil Litigation
- Ethics for Paralegals
- Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis
- E-Discovery & Legal Technologies
- Intellectual Property
Paralegal Associate Degrees in California
A common offering by California community colleges, the paralegal associate degree is a logical choice for students looking for an affordable path to starting a paralegal career. Plus, credits obtained in these programs transfer to most paralegal and other law-focused bachelor’s degree programs. Associate paralegal programs typically require a two-year, full-time commitment.
College of the Canyons
College of the Canyons offers a paralegal associate degree that teaches students about different aspects of the legal system and the role paralegals play in making it work. The curriculum covers areas such as litigation, mediation, and arbitration with content tailored toward California law. As a result, students are able to develop skills paralegals need to be successful, such as the ability to conduct witness interviews, perform legal research, and prepare legal documents to be filed with the court. Also, there is coursework that instills the importance of legal ethics and the standards paralegals are expected to adhere to in their work.
Duration: Two years
Mode: On campus
Cost: $46 per credit
Curriculum:
- Family Law
- Legal Ethics
- Contract and Tort Law
- Legal Technology
- Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing
- Law for Business Organizations
Paralegal Bachelor’s Degrees in California
The paralegal bachelor’s degree is a particularly great choice for those intending to continue their education to earn a law-related master’s degree or Juris Doctor degree. In California, paralegal bachelor’s degrees take four years of full-time study and are most often fully or partially campus-based.
University of La Verne
La Verne’s legal studies bachelor’s degree program teaches legal concepts and how they are applied to real cases. The curriculum allows students to develop the communication, research, technology, interviewing, and analytical skills needed to be successful. This program, which is approved by the American Bar Association, additionally requires that students participate in an internship. You will also have the opportunity to minor in American law to further gain expertise in how the legal system works. To help you find employment after completing this degree, the University of La Verne offers job assistance, including access to employment leads.
Duration: Four years
Mode: On campus
Cost: $24,735 per semester
Curriculum:
- American Legal Studies
- Law Office Computer Applications
- Property and Real Estate Transactions
- Bankruptcy
- Immigration Law and Procedure
- Wills, Trusts, and Probate
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FAQs From California Paralegal Students
Is there financial aid for paralegal students in California?
Yes. Although most paralegal programs in California are surprisingly affordable—particularly those offered by public colleges and universities—there are plenty of financial resources available to qualifying students. Those include scholarships, grants, VA benefits, employer tuition reimbursement, and student loans to help students pay for their studies.
For most students interested in California paralegal programs, the best place to start a funding search is at the financial aid offices of the schools they’re considering. For example, San Francisco State University offers a scholarship for paralegal students. Often overlooked sources of funding are scholarships sponsored by paralegal groups, such as the Central Coast Paralegal Association and the Los Angeles Paralegal Association.
Should a paralegal program be accredited?
Not necessarily. Although you do need to enroll in a program that has been approved by the American Bar Association to work as a paralegal, you can pursue other legal positions after completing a program that doesn’t have this designation. However, that doesn’t mean that accreditation isn’t important. You should still look for a school that has been accredited in order to ensure you’re getting a top-notch education that prepares you for the realities of the workplace. In California, colleges and universities are approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Where can I get a job after completing a paralegal program in California?
There are numerous places that paralegals can work in California including work for law firms of all sizes, assisting attorneys with their cases and managing the office. Also, paralegals can work for the in-house legal departments of businesses and government agencies. Some of the specific employers you can work for include Abramson Labor Group, Merced Superior Court, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, and DeHay & Elliston, LLP.
What is the difference between a paralegal and a legal assistant?
The work of a legal assistant is more administrative in nature. These professionals are tasked with maintaining files, scheduling, organizing evidence, and billing. Although paralegals may do some of this work, they also do higher-level tasks. The work of paralegals includes drafting documents and filing them with the court, interviewing witnesses, and doing legal research to help an attorney prepare for a case.
Another difference between the two positions is the education required to land a job. While paralegals are expected to complete a certificate or degree, legal assistants may only require on-the-job training for their roles.
Can paralegals choose a specialization?
Yes. Just as attorneys are able to practice law in areas they’re interested in, paralegals can also specialize. Some specialties that paralegals concentrate their careers on include immigration, family, probate, corporate, and real estate law.
Salary & Career Outlook for Paralegals in California
Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $39,710 | $98,830 | $60,970 |
California | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $48,320 | $117,120 | $75,140 |
Bakersfield, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $35,010 | $98,070 | $59,730 |
Chico, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $40,810 | $60,430 | $49,730 |
El Centro, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $34,510 | $99,840 | $51,810 |
Fresno, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $40,080 | $96,700 | $58,260 |
Hanford-Corcoran, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $47,610 | $101,130 | $59,790 |
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $48,160 | $107,790 | $75,740 |
Merced, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $40,350 | $83,450 | $55,290 |
Modesto, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $46,860 | $90,580 | $60,220 |
Napa, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $54,700 | $101,240 | $64,470 |
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $48,240 | $99,140 | $69,780 |
Redding, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $36,390 | $84,150 | $54,250 |
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $48,500 | $92,930 | $60,050 |
Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $51,420 | $104,250 | $75,100 |
Salinas, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $48,330 | $93,470 | $60,970 |
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $47,640 | $104,600 | $62,240 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $59,030 | $134,880 | $83,780 |
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $62,560 | $156,270 | $99,990 |
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $33,680 | $93,700 | $58,970 |
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $43,510 | $104,760 | $77,060 |
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $45,490 | $95,300 | $61,800 |
Santa Rosa, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $50,250 | $102,040 | $64,870 |
Stockton-Lodi, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $47,840 | $95,020 | $60,720 |
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $47,920 | $99,260 | $66,000 |
Visalia-Porterville, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $40,200 | $84,750 | $59,000 |
Yuba City, CA | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $47,390 | $92,440 | $60,090 |
Source: Paralegals and Legal Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Area | Occupation | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 354,300 | 369,100 | 14,800 | 4.20% |
California | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 39,300 | 44,100 | 4,800 | 12.20% |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Resources for Paralegal Students & Professionals in California
When you’re in the legal field, your education doesn’t end when you complete your degree. You should keep up with the latest industry news, network with peers, and be open to more opportunities to learn. Here are some resources that will help keep you informed and connected to developments in the paralegal field.
California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA): CAPA is an alliance of paralegal associations located throughout the state, the mission of which is to advocate for “promoting education, voluntary examination, and advancement of the paralegal profession.”
CalJOBS: Paralegals and Legal Assistants: This official State of California website offers comprehensive information on jobs, occupations, industries, and educational institutions. You can access information on paralegals by using the “Career Opportunities” tab and typing “paralegals” in the search engine.
Los Angeles Paralegal Association: LAPA supports paralegals in the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area through programs and services that help them grow as professionals. Members can participate in continuing legal education courses, networking events, and conferences.
San Francisco Paralegal Association: Members of the San Francisco Paralegal Association can receive access to continuing education courses, events, and leadership opportunities. Also, the organization posts job listings to help members find work.
6450 & You: Published by CAPA, 6450 & You is a valuable resource providing the entire text and appendixes of California Business and Professions Code Sections 6450-6456, which covers the professional practice of state paralegals.
List of the Best Schools for Online Paralegal Programs in California
Our data scientists have compiled this list of the top choices for paralegal schools. Pulling self-reported data from the schools themselves, we’ve listed the most ideal traits such as accreditation, student support services, and online learning formats in order to narrow down your options. Take a look at the best educational options for students like you, and be sure to weigh this list against your own individual goals to make the best choice.
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, California
Private
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California
Public
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California
Public
American River College
Sacramento, California
Public
Cerro Coso Community College
Ridgecrest, California
Public
Los Angeles Mission College
Sylmar, California
Public
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, California
Public