Paralegal Schools in South Carolina
South Carolina’s colleges and universities offer an array of paralegal programs that can lead to the award of a certificate or degree and may allow you to choose study areas to fit with your personal interests and career goals. This guide to paralegal schools in South Carolina will provide you with key information so that you can make the right educational choice. In addition to traditional on-campus programs, you may wish to compare online paralegal degree programs, which can be a flexible alternative to traditional classroom learning. If you are considering a degree in paralegal/legal studies, our paralegal careers in South Carolina guide will provide further information on your career possibilities.
Quick Facts
- There are 9 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in South Carolina.1
- 4 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 8 schools offer an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- No schools offer a bachelor’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- No schools offer a master’s or advanced 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
- 6 ABA-approved paralegal degree programs are in South Carolina.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 South Carolina
- Select Schools in South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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.
| School | ABA Approved? | Paralegal Degree(s) | Acceptance Rate6 | Grad Rate1 | Online Options? | Median Debt7 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Jones University (Greenville) | — | AS-Paralegal Studies; Minor-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 66% | — | N.Av. | $14,570 |
| Florence-Darlington Technical College (Florence) | Yes | AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 13% | — | $6,500 | $4,249 |
| Greenville Technical College (Greenville) | Yes | AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 11% | — | $8,750 | $6,992 |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College (Conway) | Yes | AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 21% | — | $8,250 | $5,587 |
| Midlands Technical College (West Columbia) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AAS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 12% | Yes | $5,500 | $5,864 |
| Technical College of the Lowcountry (Beaufort) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Specialist; AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 14% | Yes | $5,349 | $8,246 |
| Trident Technical College (Charleston) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal; AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 19% | — | $10,500 | $2,559 |
| University of South Carolina (Columbia) | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies | 69% | 77% | Yes | $19,500 | $21,787 |
| York Technical College (Rock Hill) | — | AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 23% | — | $4,046 | $6,655 |
- — 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 South Carolina (#96 tie)
US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs 2022
- University of South Carolina (#100 tie)
Select Schools in South Carolina with Paralegal Degrees
Traditional Programs
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
The ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies offered by Horry Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) provides students with the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in entry-level legal positions as paralegals and legal assistants. Students are exposed to different areas of law practice and are exposed to tools that will help them navigate changing legal environments. The curriculum includes various disciplines in addition to legal coursework, such as history, management, and mathematics. Substantive legal courses like Family Law, Criminal Law, and Torts make up the bulk of the coursework, though practical skills courses in keyboarding, legal research, and writing are also offered. The program requires a minimum of 66 credit hours to complete and begins in the fall semester of every year.
Greenville Technical College
The ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal program at Greenville Technical College is a project-oriented program with an emphasis on hands-on, engaging learning. Students at Greenville have the opportunity to practice important paralegal skills such as litigation, title examination, and legal research. Professional oral and written communication skills are also emphasized throughout the coursework, preparing students to enter a variety of legal settings. The AAS degree program requires 64 credit hours and typically takes five semesters to complete. Students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree are eligible to pursue a fast-track version of the degree program, which requires 43 credit hours and can be completed in 12 months. The Greenville Technical College paralegal degree program offers extensive post-graduate career counseling through their career portal and connects graduates with local job opportunities.
Trident Technical College
Trident Technical College (TTC) offers two ABA-approved paralegal programs: an Associate of Science (AS) and a Certificate of Applied Science (CAS) in Paralegal. The paralegal programs offer students the necessary training to work under an attorney’s supervision in various professional settings, such as in law firms; state and federal government offices; colleges; insurance companies; banks; and other corporations. Both programs are good launching pads for students who are interested in law school. Students will learn how to prepare legal documents, improve office procedures to promote efficiency in a law office setting, and recommend solutions to procedural issues. The AS requires 63 credit hours and the Certificate requires 36 credit hours. Courses included in the AS degree, such as Public Speaking, Claims Investigation, Interpersonal Communication, and Legal Bibliography, teach students how to research and communicate confidently within the field. Both degrees include a Law Practice Workshop, which allows students to apply their knowledge in a practical legal setting. Additionally, both curricula cover various fields of law, including business, criminal, family, and property law; this exposure can help students decide to later focus on a more specialized area of law.
I strongly encourage those entering the legal profession to keep an open mind when selecting a practice area. I believe that internships are very important, because they allow you to learn about a variety of practice areas and to make a more informed decision about what is the best fit for you.” –Kristin Gray, South Carolina Labor and Employment Lawyer at the Ford Harrison Law Firm.
Hybrid and Online Programs
Midlands Technical College
Students can earn a Paralegal Studies Certificate through Midlands Technical College. This program is available entirely online, on the Airport and Beltline campuses, or in a hybrid format. With a curriculum approved by the ABA, the paralegal studies program prepares students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills they need to succeed in the legal field. Through courses like Torts, Business Law, Civil Litigation, and Law Office Management, students learn research skills, how to draft legal documents, and interviewing techniques. This 24-credit program is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees who are interested in transitioning to the legal field. Up to two-thirds of the required legal specialty credits can be transferred from regionally accredited, ABA-approved schools. Many graduates search for entry-level paralegal positions in industries like insurance, real estate, courts, banks, and government agencies.
Technical College of the Lowcountry
The Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) offers two ABA-approved programs, a hybrid Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Paralegal degree and a Paralegal Specialist Certificate. The AAS degree can be completed in as few as two years with a minimum of 69 credits required for graduation. Students will learn how to analyze legal procedures, prepare and draft legal documents, conduct legal research, and interview clients while maintaining ethical standards. Courses include Family Law, Torts, Law Office Management, Legal Bibliography, and Litigation Applications. Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the workplace through a mandatory internship during their final semester. Graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce after graduation or they may choose to transfer their credits to a four-year institution.
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.
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-0169
https://sc.edu/
Student Review: “I think I made the best decision when I chose to go to the University of South Carolina to take Paralegal Studies. They had exactly what I needed in a program. They offered a mixture of in-class and online courses which made things a lot easier for me to work and go to school. The program was intense. They give you a lot of work and try to challenge you as much as they can in order to properly prepare you for what it’s like to work in the legal field. Still, all the professors and all the staff were very nice and approachable and always willing to answer your questions. After graduation, I felt fully prepared to take on a job at a major firm and the university helped me find my dream job. I can’t speak highly enough of this program. I’m so glad I chose do it.” -Student at the University of South Carolina
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/