Paralegal Schools in Arizona
The paralegal schools in Arizona offer a variety of paralegal and legal assistant education programs, including programs leading to the award of undergraduate certificate, associate’s degree, and master’s degree. Within these paralegal and legal assistant programs, you may find the opportunity to specialize in certain areas such as real estate law. In addition to traditional on-campus programs, you may also wish to consider the options for online or distance paralegal programs, which some individuals find to be a better fit. If you are considering a degree in paralegal/legal studies, our paralegal careers in Arizona guide will provide further information on your career possibilities.
Quick Facts
- There are 8 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in Arizona.1
- 7 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 6 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
- 2 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- No schools 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
- 2 ABA-approved paralegal degree programs are in Arizona.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 Arizona
- Select Schools in Arizona 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 Arizona 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University (Tempe) | — | Master of Legal Studies | 86% | 63% | Yes | $14,000 | $14,081 |
| Arizona Western College (Yuma) | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AAS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 25% | Yes | $3,500 | $10,121 |
| Mohave Community College (Colorado City) | — | Certificate-Paralegal; AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 16% | Yes | $7,000 | $8,826 |
| Phoenix College (Phoenix) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AAS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 16% | — | $6,000 | $8,980 |
| Pima Community College (Tucson) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 21% | Yes | $3,500 | $3,297 |
| Rio Salado College (Tempe) | — | Certificate of Completion-Paralegal; AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 7% | Yes | $3,396 | $8,897 |
| University of Arizona (Tucson) | — | Certificate-Paralegal; Certificate-Paralegal: Real Property Law; Master of Legal Studies | 85% | 65% | Yes | $13,000 | $16,580 |
| Yavapai College (Prescott) | — | Certificate-Legal Office Clerk; Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AAS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 30% | Yes | $6,196 | $6,840 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs
US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools 2022
- Arizona State University (#25 tie)
- University of Arizona (#46 tie)
US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs 2022
- Arizona State University (#3)
- University of Arizona (#21 tie)
Select Schools in Arizona with Paralegal Degrees
Traditional Programs
Mohave Community College
Mohave Community College (MCC) offers two programs for students looking to prepare for paralegal careers. A two-year degree program leads to the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Paralegal, which requires 62 to 63 credit hours to complete. This program focuses on core skills such as conducting legal research, mastering legal writing, and understanding ethics in legal practice. The program also includes paralegal internship opportunities with local agencies and organizations. MCC also offers a paralegal certificate program that qualifies students to take the Arizona Legal Document Preparer Examination. The certificate program requires 30 credit hours and can be completed in as few as three semesters. Students pursuing either program may choose to study on a full- or part-time basis and may follow a program sequence or take courses according to their schedule.
Phoenix College
Phoenix College is part of the Maricopa Community Colleges and offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies and a Certification of Completion in Paralegal Studies, both of which are approved by the ABA. This program focuses on practical skills development, teaching graduates to draft legal documents and perform legal research with minimal supervision. Additionally, the curriculum familiarizes students with the fundamentals of substantive legal areas including torts and business law. Effective written and oral communication, teamwork, critical thinking skills, technology skills, and research techniques are fostered throughout the coursework sequence. Students without prior legal work experience are highly encouraged to participate in the optional internship program.
Pima Community College
Pima Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and a Paralegal Post-Degree Certificate that are ABA-approved. Both of these programs teach procedural legal knowledge and develop paralegal skills such as document preparation and legal research. Coursework is broken into general education requirements and required core courses. The general education requirements include courses in communication; arts and humanities; social and behavioral sciences; mathematics and sciences; and other courses. Required core courses include Civil Litigation Procedures; Legal Research; Paralegal Ethics; Civil and Criminal Evidence; Legal Writing; and Computer-Assisted Legal Research. Both programs include a mandatory internship program at an approved worksite during their final semester. The AAS degree is completed in 61 to 63 credit hours while the certificate is a total of 42 credits. Title IV financial aid is available to eligible students. The course schedule offers flexibility, occasional online classes, and is offered full-time at the downtown location.
Hybrid and Online Programs
Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) offers a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) through the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. The MLS can be completed either fully online or at the Downtown Phoenix campus. ASU’s online MLS is a 30-credit program that provides graduates who do not want to pursue a full law degree with a strong legal foundation in as little as one year. There are 11 focus areas available for the online MLS, including Conflict Resolution; Construction Law; Contract Management; Corporate and Health Care Compliance; Criminal Law; Indian Gaming; Federal Indian Law; Intellectual Property Law; Sports Law and Business; Sustainability Law; and Tribal Self-Governance. Graduates will leave the program with a basic understanding of US law, legal reasoning, and legal structures. Admission requirements include possession of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. GMAT, LSAT, or GRE scores are not required. ASU also offers a Master of Sports Law and Business (MSLB) and a Master of Human Resources and Employment Law (MHREL) for students who are interested in law but do not wish to become attorneys.
Rio Salado College
The Rio Salado College, which is part of the Maricopa Community College system, offers a Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Paralegal as well as an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal; both programs are completed fully online. Most courses are eight weeks long and have multiple start dates. The programs cover the foundations of the legal system, including business and tort law as well as legal ethics. The AAS curriculum starts with general education courses and requires 64 to 67 total credits, and the CCL program requires 36 to 39 credits. Through courses such as Paralegal Litigation, Business Law, and Tort Law, students learn legal writing and communication skills. Classes are instructed by working legal professionals including attorneys, judges, and paralegals. Rio Salado College also offers career support and an internship program to help graduates find positions in the paralegal field.
Yavapai College
Through Yavapai College’s (YC) School of Social Sciences, students can earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies, a Legal Office Clerk Certificate, or a Paralegal Studies Certificate completely online. The degree programs are designed to meet the needs of students interested in becoming paralegals in legal or business offices as well as those already working in the legal field who want to advance their careers. Students learn the fundamental skills needed in the field such as interviewing clients, writing and researching legal issues, and using common law office technology. The 61-credit AAS degree prepares graduates for direct entry-level positions; students interested in continuing on and transferring credit to a baccalaureate degree should speak with an academic advisor. In addition to the AAS core curriculum, students can choose from electives such as Wills, Trusts, and Probate; Procedural Criminal Law; and Law Office Management. The Legal Office Clerk Certificate requires 18 credit hours to complete and the Paralegal Studies Certificate requires 30 credit hours. YC will also be adding a Legal Paraprofessional program soon.
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.
Rio Salado College
2323 W 14th St
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 517-8000
https://www.riosalado.edu/
Student Review: “Although I love my field of study, my experience with my school of choice has not been the best. I feel that a lot of the coursework is generic, the professors aren’t as invested as they should be, and the quality of my education is rather low. I have had it take weeks for professors to respond to my emails. It’s impossible to go forward with the next chapter and the work that goes along with it when I’m waiting for clarification on the previous week’s work. I am so, so happy that I can pursue my education online, and I think Rio Salado does a great job in that department, but I don’t think the teachers are actually teaching. I am teaching myself and then the teachers are grading me based on my own learning. A lot of what I learn in my courses are just repeated from prior ones. I think they have a long way to go. I am almost to the part in my degree where I’ll be studying specific areas of law and hopefully, that will help and I’ll feel more educated and confident going forward.” -Student at Rio Salado College
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/