Paralegal Schools in Colorado

The paralegal schools in Colorado offer numerous choices for students who are interested in obtaining a degree or certificate in the paralegal and legal assistant fields. Select programs also offer students the opportunity of specializing in in-demand paralegal skills like legal administration. This guide to your options for pursuing a paralegal degree or certificate in Colorado will help you make an informed decision on where to attend school that is in line with your personal skills, interests, and salary expectations. Please visit our guide to paralegal careers in Colorado to learn about opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants.

Quick Facts

• There are 9 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in Colorado.¹
• 8 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.¹
• 6 schools offer an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.¹
• 1 school offers a bachelor’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.¹
• 1 school offers a master’s degree for paralegals/legal assistants.¹
• No schools ranked in Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs.²
• 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools in 2022.³
• 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs in 2022.⁴
• 3 ABA-approved paralegal degree programs are in Colorado.⁵

For not-for-profit colleges and universities with paralegal/legal assistant degree programs.

Table of Contents

• Comparison of Paralegal Programs
• Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs in Colorado
• Select Schools in Colorado with Paralegal Degrees

Comparison of Paralegal Programs

The table below will help you compare not-for-profit paralegal and legal studies programs in Colorado based on various factors. The table includes paralegal program-specific information such as the programs offered and whether there are any online options. It also includes general school information to help you compare the colleges and universities that host these programs, including overall acceptance rate, graduation rate for first-time bachelor’s degree seekers, median debt for graduates, and net tuition per year for full-time undergraduate study. We have also included information on approval by the American Bar Association (ABA). While ABA approval is not required in order to work as a paralegal, it is a mark of program quality that is preferred by many employers.

• — indicates none.
• N.Av. indicates no data available.

Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs

US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools 2022

• University of Denver (#78 tie)

US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs 2022

• University of Denver (#9 tie)

Select Schools in Colorado with Paralegal Degrees

Traditional Programs

Arapahoe Community College

The Arapahoe Community College (ACC) Paralegal Department helps graduates prepare to assist attorneys with substantive tasks, including interviewing, investigation, research, and drafting legal documents. ACC offers a Paralegal Certificate program and an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal, both of which are approved by the ABA. The 60-credit AAS integrates general education courses in public speaking, mathematics, and communication with specialized law courses such as Legal Analysis, Civil Litigation, and Contracts. The required Cooperative Education course offers students an introduction to the professional environment and helps develop paralegal skills in a real-world setting. AAS students must complete all general education courses before enrolling in paralegal coursework. The 36-credit Certificate program is designed for students who have already completed a formal degree and omits the general education courses to focus entirely on developing legal skills and knowledge. Both programs require that students complete each paralegal course with a “C” or above and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to graduate.

Community College of Denver

At the Community College of Denver (CCD), students can complete an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal. This program is designed to help students develop legal skills such as drafting legal documents, preparing legal arguments, and assisting lawyers at trials. Coursework can be pursued through on-campus, online, and hybrid formats. The 60-credit curriculum includes general and core paralegal courses like Constitutional Law; Legal Writing; Criminal Law; and Probate and Estates. Students can also choose specialty electives such as Corporate Law, Family Law, and Environmental Law. In the fourth semester, students will complete an internship under the supervision of a working legal professional. The AAS can also be taken as part of a transfer program with the University of Denver (DU). Paralegal transfer students will complete the AAS at CCD and take upper-division coursework as part of a bachelor’s program at DU. CCD also offers a General Paralegal Certificate; all academic credits in the Certificate program are fully transferable to the AAS degree program.

Front Range Community College

Students at Front Range Community College (FRCC) can earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal/Legal Assistant. The AAS program requires 60 credits, which can be completed in four semesters, with some courses available online. The curriculum includes a wide range of subjects including contracts, property law, and litigation. Classes such as Civil Litigation, Legal Writing, and Business Organizations emphasize the practical knowledge necessary to succeed in a legal career. Students learn how to prepare legal documents, perform online legal research, and apply critical thinking skills. The program also teaches ethical considerations in the field as students study within the framework of the Paralegal Code of Ethics. Before graduation, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in either a paralegal internship or a cooperative education course. FRCC also offers a Legal Assistant Certificate, a 30-credit program that can be completed in two semesters and prepares students for entry-level positions in the field, as well as a Foundations of Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate that can be finished in one semester.

Pikes Peak Community College

Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal degree that will help students develop their understanding of the various branches of law; learn to research and write legal documents; and prepare for careers in the legal field. Graduates of the program should be able to make legal and ethical decisions, appropriately handle sensitive legal materials, and demonstrate knowledge of core legal concepts. The curriculum requires 64 credits, split between 19 general education credits and 45 paralegal credits. To complete the degree, students will need to take classes such as Legal Ethics, Property Law, and Business Organizations. All Paralegal AAS students must take either an internship or a cooperative education course in order to gain experience working in a professional environment before graduating. Students must receive a grade of 70% or higher in all major coursework. PPCC also offers a 24-credit, ABA-approved Legal Technician Certificate for college graduates seeking to enter the legal field.

Find the area of law that is your passion. Be open to the possibility that the paralegal job you desire may not be immediately in your reach and accept the opportunity (whether receptionist, legal assistant, or legal secretary) presented and make the best of it. Many companies like to promote from within.” –Mianne L. Besser, President and NFPA Secondary of the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association.

Hybrid and Online Programs

Colorado Mountain College

Colorado Mountain College (CMC) offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies, both of which can be completed entirely online and are designed to prepare graduates for careers in private law firms or government offices. These programs offer instruction in communication skills, witness interviews, and legal writing. The 63- to 64-credit AAS and 36-credit Certificate programs share the same paralegal core curriculum with courses in Torts; Family Law; Property Law; Civil Litigation; Legal Research and Writing; and Criminal Law. However, the AAS requires the completion of additional general education courses, while the certificate program focuses on paralegal coursework. AAS students have the opportunity to participate in a cooperative learning experience that allows for practical application of the skills learned in the program. CMC has a transfer agreement with Colorado Mesa University (CMU) that allows students to transfer paralegal credits from CMC toward the completion of a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Public Administration/Public Safety at CMU, as well as with Colorado Mountain College, where transfer students can earn a BAS in Leadership and Management.

Community College of Aurora

The Paralegal Studies program at the Community College of Aurora (CCA) offers an ABA-approved, 30-semester hour Paralegal Certificate program. Many classes are available online, but at least one-third of the coursework must be taken on-campus, in accordance with ABA requirements. Admission into the Certificate program requires a minimum of an associate’s degree. The curriculum encompasses many areas of law, including classes such as Family Law, Contracts, Torts, Civil Litigation, Criminal Law, and Property Law. In addition to teaching substantive and procedural legal information, the program develops students’ abilities through practical courses such as legal research and writing. The CCA Paralegal Certificate also includes an optional internship experience at the end of the program, during which students are given the opportunity to apply legal knowledge to hands-on tasks and practice critical paralegal skills under the supervision of a working professional. CCA also offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies, which may be pursued partially online.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs: https://www.paralegal411.org/degrees/bachelors/online/
3. US News & World Report Best Law Schools 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings
4. US News & World Report Best Legal Writing Programs 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/legal-writing-rankings
5. American Bar Association Approved Paralegal Programs: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/
6. Niche: https://www.niche.com/
7. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Ranking ROI of 4,500 US Colleges and Universities: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/CollegeROI/