Paralegal Schools in Maryland

There are numerous paralegal schools in Maryland that can provide future paralegals and legal assistants with a quality education. These schools offer programs at the certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels and may offer opportunities for students to earn endorsements in specialty practice areas. This guide to paralegal schools in Maryland will help you understand the options for pursuing a paralegal degree or certificate in the state. As an alternative to traditional degree and certificate programs, online paralegal programs can be a flexible option for some students. Be sure to visit our page for paralegal careers in Maryland to find out more about opportunities for paralegal and legal studies graduates in the state.

Quick Facts

• There are 15 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in Maryland.¹
• 7 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.¹
• 11 schools offer an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.¹
• 4 schools offer a bachelor’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.¹
• 2 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree for paralegals/legal assistants.¹
• 1 school ranked in Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs.²
• 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools in 2022.³
• 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs in 2022.⁴
• 5 not-for-profit ABA-approved paralegal degree programs are in Maryland.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 Maryland
• Select Schools in Maryland with Paralegal Degrees
• Student Reviews

Comparison of Paralegal Programs

The table below will help you compare not-for-profit paralegal and legal studies programs in Maryland 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

Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs 2018

• Stevenson University (#17)

US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools 2022

• University of Maryland-Carey (#50 tie)
• University of Baltimore (#129 tie)

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

• University of Baltimore (#46 tie)
• University of Maryland-Carey (#114 tie)

Select Schools in Maryland with Paralegal Degrees

Traditional Programs

Anne Arundel Community College

The Legal Studies Institute at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) offers two ABA-approved programs in Paralegal Studies: a 60-credit Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies that requires 31 credits to complete. Students may choose to study full or part time at a variety of different times and formats, including online, evenings, and weekends. The curricula for both programs include courses in practical skills development such as Electronic Legal Research and Civil Procedure as well as classes in substantive legal knowledge such as Legal Ethics and Criminal Law. Students enrolling in the certificate program must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Paralegal Studies students will have access to AACC’s onsite legal library, a legal research course held at the State Law Library, and a range of legal software such as WestlawNext and CLIO. For those seeking further study, AACC has transfer agreements with schools such as the University of Baltimore and the University of Maryland.

Cecil College

Cecil College awards the Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal Studies to students who successfully complete its 60-credit hour paralegal program. The Paralegal Studies program helps students prepare to enter careers in the legal field or pursue further studies such as a postgraduate certificate or a bachelor’s degree. Students typically spend the first year of studies on general education courses and learning the fundamentals of the legal system before taking more focused courses in the criminal justice system, areas of law, and legal skills in the second year of study. Courses in the program include Business Law, Technical Writing, and Perspectives in Human Diversity. Graduates of the Paralegal Studies program should have well-developed oral and written communication skills, problem-solving skills, and time-management skills Cecil has articulation agreements with various four-year colleges and universities in Maryland to help students go on to further study.

Community College of Baltimore County

The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) offers both an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Legal Studies program and an ABA-approved Certificate in Paralegal Studies program to accommodate students with various education, experience, and career goals. The 60-credit AAS in Legal Studies begins with professional skills such as composition skills, technology skills, and communication. Later in the program legal courses are incorporated, covering topics such as criminal law, business law, estate administration, tort law, and a legal studies internship. The internship capstone allows students to network and participate in a professional legal setting to hone and expand upon their classroom skills. The 30-credit certificate program is designed for students who have already earned a college-level degree in an unrelated field and wish to have a formal specialization in paralegal studies. The Certificate foregoes the general education courses, focusing entirely on paralegal courses. Graduates of both programs will be able to assist lawyers in legal services, apply critical thinking skills, and effectively communicate legal information orally and in writing.

Stevenson University

Stevenson University hosts an ABA-approved Bachelor of Science (BS) in Legal Studies that integrates legal theory with hands-on experience. The program offers practical skills and legal theory instruction, enabling graduates to be productive members of a law firm or legal department of corporations, insurance companies, or government agencies. To accommodate different schedules, classes are offered during weekdays and in the evenings. The wide range of legal specialty courses allow students to gain a thorough understanding of several fields within the law, while courses such as Law Office Technology and Legal Research and Writing help prepare them to perform paralegal duties. By selecting specific classes, students may focus their learning on areas such as corporate law, litigation, or estate administration. Opportunities for practical experience are offered periodically through internships, clinics, and pro bono opportunities. Internships are available as early as the second year of the program to allow students to gain exposure to a working law office. Stevenson also offers an online accelerated Legal Studies degree focused on adult learners and a minor in Legal Studies.

Hybrid and Online Programs

Montgomery College

Students can earn an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies from Montgomery College (MC) in a hybrid format. Many courses can be completed entirely online; however, some courses must be taken on campus at the Rockville, Germantown, or Takoma Park/Silver Spring location. The Paralegal Studies program is designed for those interested in starting their paralegal career as well as current professionals looking to advance in their current job or transition to a new position. Students may pursue the degree part-time or on a two-year full-time basis. The AAS curriculum requires 60 credit hours in total, with core classes such as Legal Research; Interviewing, Investigating, and Communication Techniques; and Law Office Administration. Students learn how to use technology common in the legal field as well as effective legal writing and research skills. An optional internship is available to allow students to gain real-world experience in a professional environment. Graduates of the AAS will have access to the MC Career Center, including services such as career coaching and resume development.

University of Maryland Global Campus

Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Legal Studies entirely online from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). This program focuses on developing the skills necessary to work in the legal field by developing students’ understanding of the legal system and legal theory. Students learn practical skills such as writing and drafting legal documents, conducting research, and analyzing legal issues. The 120-credit undergraduate curriculum requires 41 credits of general education courses and 33 credits of core Legal Studies classes. Required courses for the major include Techniques of Legal Research; Legal Ethics; Torts; Criminal Law and Procedures; and Litigation. Students must also complete 46 credits of elective classes, which can be used to add an optional minor. While enrollment in the Legal Studies program does not require previous experience, it is recommended that students have professional experience in a legal setting. To graduate, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and “C” or better in Legal Studies courses. Graduates should be qualified to work as paralegals or legal assistants or to pursue further education in the legal field.

Student Reviews

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Anne Arundel Community College
101 College Pkwy
Arnold, MD 21012
(410) 777-2222
https://www.aacc.edu/

Student Review: “I attended for a certificate program in Paralegal Studies after earning my Bachelors from another school. The teachers were fantastic as they were usually practicing attorneys in the area or members of the judiciary. As a student, I got a great foundation in the basics and in-depth practical education in aspects of the legal field that I now use in the real world. The thing that helped me the most was the internship course, which helps the students secure an internship via the college and allows you to earn credit while getting experience you can add to your resume. I got a paralegal job in the judiciary before I’d even graduated after completing that course.” -Student at Anne Arundel Community College

Baltimore City Community College
2901 Liberty Heights Ave
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 462-8300
https://www.bccc.edu/

Student Review: “My experience in the paralegal program at BCCC was wonderful. I am currently in law school and the paralegal program gave me the foundation I need to carry me through my first year of law school. The professors O had in the paralegal program were actual attorneys and they provided the best real-life scenarios in addition to being extremely knowledgeable about the legal field. The skills I learned in the paralegal program such as case briefing, legal analysis, and legal memorandum continues to help me be a strong student in law school. The program was also essential to figuring out which type of law I am most interested in and where I may end up practicing post-graduation. The only downside to the program was lack of class availability due to low enrollment.” -Student at Baltimore City Community College

Student Review: “The program was all online, which I was not totally fond of because I like interacting with actual people. It was about as good of a program from a poor city community college which you could expect, to be honest. The instructor was extremely late giving feedback on papers/tests. Her feedback was not concise enough when she did get back to me. Her curriculum was pulled straight out of copying from the textbook with no originality or effort to help students learn the material. All in all, I got out of what I put into it for myself, which I guess is about as much as I could expect.” -Student at Baltimore City Community College

Community College of Baltimore County
800 S Rolling Rd
Catonsville, MD 21228
(443) 840-2222
https://www.ccbcmd.edu/

Student Review: “During the course of my time in the Paralegal Studies program at Community College of Baltimore County, I was constantly excited by the real world applicability of the material I was learning. My professors were all experienced and knowledgeable. At times, I wished that there were more classes offered. When I say this, I mean that I often found myself compromising a convenient schedule in order to take a class I needed. However, despite this, I was happy with the fact that my courses were organized into a pathway that outlined my requirements. I was also very excited about the fact that I was set up with an internship at the end of my degree, and was emailed constantly about job opportunities. My advisor was wonderful and helped me choose the electives that were best to suit my career objectives. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I would recommend Community College of Baltimore County to anyone who is looking for an affordable, high quality, Paralegal degree or Certificate.” -Student at Community College of Baltimore County

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/