Paralegal Schools in California
The numerous paralegal schools in California offer a wide variety of degree and certificate programs in paralegal and legal assistant studies, many of which provide opportunities for students to select a specialty within their field of interest. This overview of paralegal schools in California provides you with factual information about your options for pursuing a paralegal education in the state. You can also consider online programs that offer paralegal programs at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels. Be sure to visit our guide to paralegal careers in California to find out more about opportunities with a degree or certificate in legal studies.
Quick Facts
- There are 66 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in California.1
- 51 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 43 schools offer an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 9 schools offer a bachelor’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 4 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 1 school ranked in Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs.2
- 6 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools in 2022.3
- 6 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs in 2022.4
- 30 ABA-approved paralegal degree programs are in California.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 California
- Select Schools in California with Paralegal Degrees
Comparison of Paralegal Programs
The table below will help you compare not-for-profit paralegal and legal studies programs in California 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allan Hancock College | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 35% | — | $6,000 | $6,225 |
| American River College | Yes | Certificate-Law Office Clerical Assistant; Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 25% | — | $6,083 | $7,089 |
| Butte College | — | Certificate-Legal Office Administration; AS-Legal Office Administration | 100% | 33% | — | $6,000 | $7,613 |
| California State University-Chico | — | Certificate-Paralegal; BA-Political Science: Legal Studies | 65% | 67% | — | $14,250 | $14,843 |
| California State University-East Bay | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies | 72% | 50% | Yes | $12,372 | $10,902 |
| California State University-Los Angeles | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies | 42% | 52% | — | $11,000 | $3,255 |
| Cañada College | — | Certificate-Litigation; Certificate-Paralegal; AS-Paralegal | 100% | 32% | Yes | $6,500 | $4,870 |
| Cerritos College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal; AA-Paralegal | 100% | 27% | — | $5,500 | $3,128 |
| Cerro Coso Community College | — | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 25% | Yes | $2,625 | $10,070 |
| Chaffey College | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 26% | — | $3,005 | $11,937 |
| City College of San Francisco | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal/Legal Studies; AS-Paralegal/Legal Studies | 100% | 35% | — | $5,250 | $5,571 |
| Claremont McKenna College | — | BA-Legal Studies | 9% | 91% | — | $13,000 | $24,456 |
| Coastline Community College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 23% | — | $6,000 | $8,882 |
| College of the Canyons | Yes | AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 38% | Yes | $5,268 | $6,538 |
| College of the Sequoias | — | AS-Paralegal | 100% | 29% | — | $3,500 | $2,264 |
| Cuesta College | — | Certificate-Paralegal; AA-Paralegal | 100% | 38% | — | $5,500 | $10,860 |
| Cuyamaca College | Yes | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 31% | — | $3,500 | $4,368 |
| De Anza College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 65% | — | $5,500 | $6,238 |
| East Los Angeles College | — | Certificate-Legal Office Assistant; Certificate-Executive Legal Assistant; Certificate-Legal Support Professional | 100% | 38% | — | $4,787 | $11,015 |
| El Camino Community College District | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 35% | — | $3,500 | $11,719 |
| Evergreen Valley College | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AA-Paralegal Studies; AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 28% | — | $5,500 | $14,076 |
| Fremont College | Yes | AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 52% | Yes | $20,000 | $22,618 |
| Fresno City College | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 21% | — | $2,625 | $4,320 |
| Fullerton College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 30% | — | $4,750 | $8,198 |
| Glendale Community College | — | Certificate-Paralegal | 100% | 36% | — | $4,961 | $4,210 |
| Humphreys University | — | AA-Legal Studies; BA-Legal Studies | 100% | 44% | — | $20,881 | $12,650 |
| Imperial Valley College | — | Certificate-Legal Assistant; AA-Legal Assistant | 100% | 35% | — | N.Av. | $1,814 |
| Irvine Valley College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 46% | — | $5,500 | $4,352 |
| John F. Kennedy University | — | Certificate-Paralegal; BA-Legal Studies | N.Av. | N.Av. | Yes | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Los Angeles City College | Yes | AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 22% | — | $9,000 | $8,875 |
| Los Angeles Mission College | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 21% | — | $9,000 | $11,727 |
| Los Angeles Pierce College | — | Certificate-Legal Office Procedures; AA-Legal Office Procedures | 100% | 32% | — | $9,312 | $11,585 |
| Los Angeles Southwest College | — | Certificate-Legal Office Assistant; AA-Law: Paralegal | 100% | 15% | — | $5,500 | $8,752 |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 25% | — | $5,875 | $8,670 |
| Loyola Marymount University | — | Certificate-Paralegal; MS-Legal Studies | 47% | 80% | Yes | $19,491 | $47,292 |
| Merritt College | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 22% | — | $9,000 | $13,146 |
| Mount San Antonio College | Yes | Certificate-eDiscovery and Litigation Support; AS-Paralegal/Legal Assistant | 100% | 36% | — | $3,600 | $4,387 |
| Mount San Jacinto Community College District | — | AA-Legal Assistant | 100% | 26% | — | $4,270 | $7,736 |
| National University | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Specialist; Certificate-Paralegal Specialist: Criminal Law; AS-Paralegal Studies; BS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 29% | Yes | $15,625 | $29,382 |
| Oxnard College | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 34% | Yes | N.Av. | $2,628 |
| Pasadena City College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 37% | — | $4,577 | $5,633 |
| Riverside City College | — | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 28% | — | $4,500 | $6,782 |
| San Diego Miramar College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal; AS-Paralegal | 100% | 40% | — | $3,500 | $6,887 |
| San Francisco State University | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal | 72% | 57% | — | $13,000 | $15,166 |
| San Joaquin Delta College | — | Certificate-Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies; AS-Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies | 100% | 30% | Yes | $4,500 | $12,692 |
| Santa Ana College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal; AA-Paralegal | 100% | 28% | — | $4,500 | $6,757 |
| The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law at Ventura | — | Master of Legal Studies | N.Av. | N.Av. | — | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Santa Monica College | — | Certificate-Legal Administrative Assistant; AS-Legal Administrative Assistant | 100% | 29% | — | $4,500 | $6,006 |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | — | AA-Business Administration: Paralegal Studies | 100% | 37% | — | $4,600 | $8,993 |
| Scripps College | — | BA-Legal Studies; Minor-Legal Studies | 24% | 90% | — | $12,500 | $39,702 |
| Skyline College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal/Legal Assistant; AA-Paralegal/Legal Assistant | 100% | 36% | — | $5,250 | $4,732 |
| Southwestern College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; Certificate-Paralegal Studies: Bilingual; AS-Paralegal Studies; AS-Paralegal Studies-Bilingual | 100% | 27% | — | $3,500 | $6,329 |
| University of California-Berkeley | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; BA-Legal Studies | 15% | 93% | Yes | $12,643 | $18,522 |
| University of California-Davis | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies | 41% | 87% | Yes | $15,886 | $12,334 |
| University of California-Irvine | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal | 29% | 84% | Yes | $15,000 | $15,268 |
| University of California-Los Angeles | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; Master of Legal Studies | 14% | 92% | — | $14,544 | $15,718 |
| University of California-Riverside | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies | 51% | 76% | — | $16,530 | $13,045 |
| University of California-San Diego | Yes | Certificate-E-Discovery and Litigation Technology; Certificate-Paralegal | 30% | 87% | Yes | $16,400 | $14,864 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies | 32% | 83% | Yes | $15,000 | $16,767 |
| University of California-Santa Cruz | — | BA-Legal Studies; Minor-Legal Studies | 47% | 75% | — | $17,200 | $17,889 |
| University of La Verne | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; BA-Legal Studies | 51% | 73% | — | $21,580 | $27,933 |
| University of San Diego | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal; MS-Legal Studies | 53% | 81% | — | $21,250 | $35,936 |
| Victor Valley College | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; Advanced Certificate-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 21% | — | $5,000 | $9,863 |
| West Los Angeles College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 17% | — | $6,500 | $9,408 |
| West Valley College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal; AS-Paralegal | 100% | 35% | — | $4,135 | $7,541 |
| Yuba College | — | AS-Legal Office Skills | 100% | 27% | — | $3,500 | $5,825 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs
Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs
- Humphreys University (#25)
US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools 2022
- University of California-Berkeley (#9)
- University of California-Los Angeles (#14)
- University of California-Davis (#38 tie)
- University of California-Irvine (#35 tie)
- Loyola Marymount University (#72 tie)
- University of San Diego (#86)
US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs 2022
- University of California-Irvine (#9 tie)
- Loyola Marymount University (#46 tie)
- University of California-Los Angeles (#100 tie)
- University of California-Berkeley (#121 tie)
- University of California-Davis (#132 tie)
- University of San Diego (#144 tie)
Select Schools in California with Paralegal Degrees
Traditional Programs
California State University-Chico
The Paralegal Certificate offered by California State University-Chico (CSU Chico) is awarded upon completion of an academically rigorous 27-credit hour program. The program includes two required internships in Legal Studies and Public Law. To be granted the Paralegal Certificate, students must maintain a minimum 2.5-grade point average for all required courses in the program and apply for certificate conferral during the final semester of the program. The program is administered through the Department of Political Science, whose faculty have been recognized for their high academic and professional productivity. Students enrolled in legal studies programs through the Department of Political Science at CSU Chico gain a deep understanding of the judicial system, process, and constitutional law while building their skills in written and oral communication and research. The legal studies programs also emphasize professionalism, ethics, citizenship, and leadership. CSU Chico also offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science with a Legal Studies option.
Cerritos College
The Paralegal Department at Cerritos College offers an ABA-approved Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal. The program requires 60 credit hours to complete, which includes 22 credit hours of core requirements and 11 credit hours of electives. Elective courses offered include Advanced Legal Technology, Advanced Legal Research, Fundamentals of Alternative Dispute Resolutions, and Intellectual Property. The Paralegal Department also maintains a Certificate of Achievement in Paralegal that is approved by the ABA. The Certificate program takes 28 credit hours to complete and is open to students who already possess an associate’s or higher degree in another subject. Both programs emphasize substantive law as well as legal skills through hands-on experience. Students may pursue their studies on a full- or part-time basis and may complete all required courses through evening classes.
Fremont College
The Fremont College College of Paralegal Studies offers an ABA-approved Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal Studies designed to integrate the background and theory of the modern legal system with hands-on legal research and application. The Paralegal Studies program provides students the opportunity to conduct legal research, perform real-world problem solving, and participate as a member of a legal team concurrently with academic coursework. Flexible course options are designed to accommodate a variety of schedules at the Cerritos campus. Additionally, an accelerated degree program provides students the option of completing coursework in as little as 15 months. Courses offered include Advanced Legal Research and Writing; Real Property Law; Legal Practice Technology; and Civil Procedure. Upon graduation, potential careers include corporate paralegal, litigation paralegal, immigration paralegal, and law clerk.
I treated the classroom as a job. I arrived to class on time, professionally dressed, prepared, and willing to contribute. Also, I began mastering my writing skills by finishing every project as if I was actually working for an attorney. By treating my education like a job, by the time I started working as a paralegal, I was practiced and prepared.” –Jennifer MacDonnell, California Paralegal and contributor to the Paralegal Society blog.
Hybrid and Online Programs
Cañada College
Cañada College awards an Associate in Science (AS) in Paralegal degree to students who complete its 60-credit hour online paralegal program. This program was developed through collaboration with the San Mateo County Bar Association and the San Mateo County Legal Secretaries Association and has an advisory committee of currently practicing professionals, academics, and other stakeholders for continual program advancement. Paralegals graduate with the knowledge required to prepare legal documents, interview clients, and perform other legal assisting tasks for civil and criminal matters. Courses in the curriculum include Advanced Legal Research & Writing; Paralegalism/Legal Ethics; Electronic Litigation; and Civil Litigation and Trial Preparation. Students may also take courses in specialized areas of the law such as contracts, immigration, and family law. Cañada College provides additional learning opportunities of interest to future paralegals, including a one-day notary public workshop through the Community Education Program.
Humphreys University
Through Humphreys University, students can earn an Associate of Arts (AA) in Legal Studies, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Legal Studies, and a Master of Legal Studies (MLS). All three programs can be completed entirely online or students can choose on-campus day or evening classes. The curriculum starts with core classes in liberal arts and business. Legal studies students then concentrate on courses that teach legal terminology as well as substantive and procedural law. Core courses include Contracts, Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, and Legal Terminology and Legal Research. Students are prepared with both the technological and legal skills needed in today’s law industry. Humphreys University also offers career support and networking opportunities for students, helping facilitate career opportunities for its graduates. Students also have the option of continuing on to the Drivon School of Law at Humphreys, allowing them to possibly transfer credits and finish their law school education a year early.
San Francisco State University
The online ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Certificate offered through San Francisco State University (SF State) offers a thorough academic curriculum with a strong foundation that culminates in an internship experience. Located in downtown San Francisco, the SF State program complements coursework by placing students in a variety of internships beginning in the second semester of instruction. Internship hosts include the City Attorney’s office, public defender’s offices, the Social Security Administration, the California Coastal Commission, the California Appellate Project, and over 40 private law firms throughout the state. This direct exposure to the paralegal field develops students’ ability to competently apply classroom instruction to real-world settings and greatly increases the marketability of graduates.
University of California-Berkeley
The University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley) offers a 100% online certificate program in Paralegal Studies via UC Berkeley Extension. Applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent, computer access, and basic word-processing and internet research skills. The certificate requires two courses and four electives totaling eight semester units that can be completed in six months to one year. All enrolled students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and no grade lower than a “C” to receive the certificate. Those with a 4.0 GPA or higher will receive a Certificate of Distinction. Coursework must be completed within one year of enrollment, and courses include Paralegal Business Law, Paralegal Criminal Law, and Paralegal Family Law.
University of California-Davis
The fully online Paralegal Studies Certificate at the University of California-Davis (UC Davis) incorporates a high degree of instructional expertise with a dynamic, comprehensive curriculum in paralegal studies and equips students with the knowledge and experience to navigate and succeed in a variety of legal fields. The program focuses on developing critical legal skills such as drafting contracts, analyzing legal documents, client management, and personal injury, product liability, and malpractice law assessment. Program highlights include full support in Spanish, instructors who are licensed attorneys, individual access to LexisNexis and Westlaw online legal research resources, and exposure to advanced topics of tort and contract law. A high school diploma or advanced degree is required for admission.
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/