Best Online Paralegal Programs in Texas (TX)

Does a career in law appeal to you, but you’re not interested in putting in the time and money needed to become an attorney? If so, the paralegal profession might be right for you. Paralegals play a critical role assisting attorneys in conducting research, file management, client relations, trial preparation, and almost all other aspects of legal practice. With median salaries around $60,000 and long-term job growth at nearly 25%, Texas paralegals are also well-paid and in high demand.

This guide introduces you to some of the top on-campus and best online paralegal programs Texas has to offer. It also offers valuable information on program costs and financial assistance, potential earnings, and much more. Ready to make the move to become a paralegal professional? Find out how to launch your career in law by earning your degree or certificate through one of the best paralegal programs in Texas.

Top Online Paralegal Degree Programs in Texas

There are plenty of options for fully online and hybrid paralegal programs in Texas. In fact, the best online paralegal programs Texas offers include substantial convenience and study flexibility for all students and particularly for working professionals who want to continue in their current jobs while becoming paralegals. The best online paralegal programs Texas offers come in a variety of program types and formats, so it’s critical that you fully understand all elements and delivery methods before you enroll. Check out who made our list of the top online programs in the state this year.

South Texas College

South Texas College, a public community college, offers a Paralegal Associate of Applied Science program with coursework delivered entirely online, though the culminating practicum course is coordinated with an employer. As with most associate degrees, students complete 60 credit hours of combined general education and major-specific coursework over two years of full-time study.

Admission to STC requires a high school diploma or GED, but students without either may be admitted if they are at least 18 years old and have adequate score results from the Texas Success Initiative Assessment placement exam. Current tuition rates are $160/credit for in-district students, $170/credit for out-of-district Texas residents, and $250/credit for all other U.S. and international students. All students also pay an additional $4/credit activity fee.

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Texas A&M University-Commerce offers paralegal students pursuing bachelor’s degrees both Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) options in its Paralegal Studies BA/BS program. Both degrees require 120 credits of general education, including 18 credits in a required minor subject, and major-focused coursework typically completed over four years of full-time study. BA students must complete 12 credit hours of coursework in a foreign language as part of the general ed requirements. Both BS and BA students complete major-specific didactic coursework online. General education coursework may be online or on-campus. All paralegal students must also complete 160-hour in-person internships in a program-approved setting such as a private law firm or the District or County Attorney’s office.

Tuition and fees for students taking 12 credits are $4,212/semester for Texas residents and $9,108/semester for non-residents. Scholarships and other financial aid opportunities are available.

University of Texas at San Antonio

Students interested in a quick and convenient route into the paralegal profession should consider the Paralegal Certificate Program at the University of Texas at San Antonio (USTA). Students choose between two modalities. The Virtual Classroom option includes online classes via live stream on Saturdays at specifically scheduled times. The Online option is self-paced and features 100% online, asynchronous coursework. Field trips to a local courthouse and law library are optional. Both modality options take 11 months (three semesters). Registration is open enrollment and does not require admission into the university.

The cost of UTSA’s Paralegal Certificate Program is $1,750 per semester. Payment plans are available, and program starts are in the fall, spring, and summer.

Types of Paralegal Degrees You Can Earn in Texas

There are three credential types – certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees – available from paralegal programs in Texas, all of which prepare you for employment as a paralegal. The descriptions and links to example Texas programs below will help you choose the right credential for you.

Undergraduate Paralegal Degrees in Texas

Paying for Your Paralegal Degree in Texas

Paying for their education is a major concern for practically all college students, and paralegal programs in Texas are keenly aware of this. That’s why you’ll find the schools offering those programs often provide many scholarships and other financial aid resources for students. Be sure to contact the financial aid office at your school to find out if you’re eligible for funding support. Examples of paralegal programs in Texas offering financial aid help include:

• Lone Star College
• Midland College
• University of Texas at Austin

STEPS’ financial aid and scholarship guides especially for those who want to work in public service also provide great information and advice on funding your paralegal program, so be sure to check them out as well.

Salary & Growth for Paralegal Grads in Texas

The median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants in Texas is $59,970, according to the May 2022 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. What you actually earn, though, depends on factors such as your particular employer, job duties, level of professional experience, and geographic location. To give you an idea of what to expect as far as salary, consider the BLS wage figures for paralegals in four Texas metropolitan areas.

• Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington: $66,330
• El Paso: $45,790
• Houston/The Woodlands/Sugar Land: $65,880
• San Antonio/New Braunfels: $52,530

Job growth for paralegals in Texas, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, is projected at just over 23% between 2020 and 2030. This is nearly double the 12% growth for the nation overall. Job growth for paralegals in Texas is also impacted by where you live as the 2020-2030 job growth estimates from the Texas Workforce Commission for paralegals in four Texas regions indicate.

• Alamo: 30%
• Capital Area: 20.6%
• Dallas: 20.5%
• Southeast Texas: -1.4%

Texas Paralegal Professional and Student Resources

• State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division
  This official website for the Texas State Bar gives comprehensive information on paralegal certification, applicable Bar bylaws and code of ethics, and practically anything else regarding paralegal practice within the state. Student memberships are available.
• Texas Alliance of Paralegal Associations (TAPA)
  This organization includes over three dozen local paralegal associations in Texas that work to maintain communication among one another and promote the paralegal profession. TAPA sponsors meetings that facilitate an exchange of information on continuing paralegal education, publications, public relations projects, and more.
• Texas Bar College
  The Texas Bar College is a professional society of lawyers and paralegals “committed to high ethical standards and improved training for all legal professionals.” Associate membership is available to paralegals meeting specific education requirements.
• Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS): Board Certified Paralegal
  The TBLS is the governing board exclusively authorized by the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Supreme Court to certify paralegals in Texas in seven areas of specialty practice. Its website offers detailed information on the certification application and examination process.