Paralegal Programs in California

California has been at the forefront of paralegal legislation. As a result, there are some paralegal education requirements you should be aware of prior to choosing a paralegal training program in California.

On September 13, 2000 AB1761 was passed. This bill established an initial standard of education that individuals must complete prior to practicing as a paralegal. Under the California Business and Professions Code Section 6450 (c)(1)(2) a paralegal certificate is considered valid if it meets one of the following criteria:

1) Completion of an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal program.

2) Completion of a paralegal program or a degree program that requires at least 24 semester units of law related courses. In addition, the school must have been accredited by a national or regional accrediting body or approved by the Bureau for Private Post-secondary and Vocational Education.

3) Possession of a baccalaureate degree or advanced degree in any subject along with a written declaration from an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California or practiced in the federal courts of California for at least the previous three years.

4) A high school diploma or equivalent with at least 3 years of law related work experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California or practiced in the federal courts of California for at least the previous three years.

Paralegals in California should have a record of their paralegal certificate or degree to present upon request from their employer or a client.

Find Nationally and Regionally Accredited Online Paralegal Programs
Find Campus Based Paralegal Programs

Additional Considerations When Choosing a Paralegal Program

With California's paralegal education requirements in mind, we have only listed online schools that are Nationally or Regionally accredited and included their accrediting body for your information. Often non-ABA approved programs can be less expensive than ABA approved schools, yet offer an education that would actually meet the ABA's requirements for approval. We have also listed the ABA approved paralegal programs in California. Read more about ABA and non-ABA approved paralegal programs.

One of the things we recommend is to inquire with your desired place of employment as to what their hiring requirements are for paralegals. We have found that some of the larger firms in California require a specific education, such as an ABA approved paralegal certificate and a bachelor's degree as well as a certain amount of related work experience. This is on an extreme end and not all firms or employers will have these requirements, however, it makes since to find out exactly what you need to do to pursue your personal and professional career goals.

When inquiring about schools be sure to ask about academic counseling, financial aid and job placement services. These are important student services that a college or university should offer their students and commonly do.

— Fully Accredited Criminal Justice Degree Programs —

Paralegal Degree Programs Offered Online in California

= Staff Recommended Program

Kaplan University - School of Legal Studies: The Paralegal Studies Department at Kaplan University, is nationally recognized and offers the top paralegal programs in the country, including one of the leading paralegal associate degree programs. Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Graduates with work experience are eligible to sit for the NFPA Pace exam.

AAS in Paralegal Studies
BS in Paralegal Studies
Advanced Start in BS Paralegal Studies
Advanced Start in BS Legal Studies
BS in Legal Studies

Virginia College: Virginia College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), which is an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Associate's in Paralegal Studies

Colorado Technical University/Stonecliffe College: Stonecliffe College Online offers one of the most up to date and accredited paralegal associate degree programs in the country. Students are educated in document organization systems, handling document production, how to write legal correspondence and other relevant skills necessary for paralegal career preparation. Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

A.S. Paralegal Studies

George Washington University: This program is identical to the on-campus master's program offered at GW, but offered entirely online..

Master of Professional Studies in Paralegal Studies

Hodges University: Graduates of the Paralegal program are eligible to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) exam.

Associate's in Paralegal
Bachelor's in Legal Studies

Keiser University: E-Campus Online Programs. Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which is recognized as a national accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education.

Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Legal Studies

Minnesota School of Business: Request information from the online paralegal program today. Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Certificate in Paralegal
Associate's in Paralegal
Bachelor's in Paralegal

Post University: Post University is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), a national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Board of Education.

Certificate in Paralegal Studies
Associate's in Legal Studies
Bachelor's in Legal Studies

Westwood College: You can earn an Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies in as little as 20 months. Westwood College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCS).

Associate's in Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Degree Programs in California - Campus Based

Request Information from the School(s) by selecting a campus location

Everest College: Everest College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education.

Ontario Metro

Programs Offered: Associate's | Paralegal

Fremont College: The Fremont College Associate's in Paralegal Studies is an American Bar Association approved paralegal education program.

Cerritos

Programs Offered: Associate's | Paralegal Studies

Heald College: Heald College is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Paralegal Studies, Legal Assistant

Kaplan College: Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), which is recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education.

Panorama City

Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Legal Administrative Assisting

North-West College: Approved by the Bureau for Private Post-secondary Schools and Vocational Education. This is an important criteria that validates this program's certificate under the California Business and Professions Code Section 6450 (c)(1)(2).

Pasadena

Programs Offered: Diploma | Paralegal Studies

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Platt College: The College is approved by the Bureau of Private Post-secondary and Vocational Education.

Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Paralegal Studies

Santa Barbara Business College:

Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Paralegal

University of California - Irvine: This certificate program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Irvine

Programs Offered: Certificate | Paralegal

Westwood College:

Programs Offered: Associate's | Paralegal

Oxnard College

Programs Offered: Certificate | Legal Assisting/Paralegal

4000 South Rose Ave.
Oxnard, CA 93033
PH: 805-986-5800

California State University East Bay: This an ABA approved program.

Programs Offered: Certificate | Paralegal Studies

Division of Continuing and International Education
25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard
Hayward, CA 94542-3012
PH: 510-881-4817

California State University - Los Angeles: This is an ABA approved program.

Programs Offered: Certificate | Paralegal Studies

5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032-8619
PH: 323-343-4967

Coastline Community College: ABA approved program.

Programs Offered: Associate's, Certificate | Paralegal Studies

11460 Warner Avenue
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
PH: 714-546-7000 xt.17319

College of the Sequoias

Programs Offered: Certificate | Paralegal (Business)

915 S. Mooney Blvd.
Visalia, CA. 93277
PH: 559-730-3700

Cerritos Community College: ABA approved program

Program Offered: Associate's | Paralegal Studies

11110 East Alondra Boulevard
Norwalk, CA 90650-6298
PH: 562-860-2451 (Ext: 2710)

Cuyamaca College: This is an ABA approved program.

Programs Offered: Associate's in Science | Paralegal Studies

900 Rancho San Diego Parkway
El Cajon, California 92019
PH: 619-660-4000

DeAnza College: This is an ABA approved program.

Programs Offered: Associate's | Paralegal

21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino, CA 95014
PH: 408-864-8563

El Camino College: ABA approved program.

Programs Offered: Associate's, Certificate | Paralegal Studies

16007 Crenshaw Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90506-0003
PH: 310-660-3789

Fullerton College: ABA approved programs.

Programs Offered: Associate's, Certificate | Paralegal Studies

321 East Chapman Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92832
PH: 714-992-7223

Miramar College: ABA approved programs

Programs Offered: Associate's, Certificate | Legal Assistant

10440 Black Mountain Road
San Diego, CA 92126
PH: 619-388-7892

Mount San Antonio College: ABA approved program.

Program Offered: Associate's | Paralegal Studies

1100 North Grand Avenue
Walnut, CA 91789
PH: 909-594-5611, xt.4906

MTI College: ABA approved program.

Program Offered: Associate's | Paralegal Studies

5221 Madison Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95841
PH: 916-339-1500 xt.240

Pasadena City College: ABA approved programs.

Programs Offered: Associate's, Certificate | Paralegal

1570 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91106-2003
PH: 626-585-7817

Santa Ana College: ABA approved program.

Program Offered: Associate's | Paralegal

1530 W 17th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706-3398
PH: 714-564-6000

University of California Santa Barbara - Extension Program: This is an ABA approved paralegal program.

Programs Offered: Certificate | Paralegal

3585 Maple St., Ste 112
Ventura, CA 93003
PH: 805-644-7261

University of California, Los Angeles - Extension: ABA approved.

Program Offered: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | Paralegal

10995 LeConte Avenue, Suite 517
Los Angeles, CA 90024-1333
PH: 310-825-0299

University of California, Riverside - Extension: ABA approved program.

Program Offered: Certificate | Paralegal

1200 University Avenue
Riverside, CA 92507-4596
PH: 951-827-5804

University of California San Diego - Extension: ABA approved Certificate program.

Program Offered: Certificate | Paralegal

9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0172
PH: 858-882-8008

University of La Verne: ABA approved program.

Programs Offered: Bachelor's | Legal Studies

1950 Third Street
La Verne, CA 91750
PH: 909-593-3511, xt.4428

University of San Diego: ABA approved program

Program Offered: Post-Baccalaureate | Paralegal

5998 Alcala Park AW1-204
San Diego, CA 92110
PH: 619-260-4579

West Los Angeles College: ABA approved programs.

Programs Offered: Associate's, Certificate | Paralegal Studies

9000 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230-3500
PH: 310-287-4438

West Valley College: Programs approved by the ABA.

Programs Offered: Associate's, Post-Degree Certificate | Paralegal Program

14000 Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070-5698
PH: 408-741-4635

(Sources: ABA website)

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Program outcomes vary according to each institution's specific curriculum and employment opportunities are not guaranteed.