Here’s a listing of colleges offering paralegal training in the state of California. Use the request information buttons to get in touch with the schools directly for more information. I’m sure they’ll be glad to help you!
If you can’t find a suitable campus-based program, check out the online options.
Other public institutions:
California State University East Bay
Paralegal Studies Program – Division of Continuing and International Education
25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard
Hayward, CA 94542-3012
Telephone: 510 885 2311
Fax: 510 885 4817
Degrees Offered: Paralegal Studies Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program is five quarters or one year and 10 weeks, and internships are mandatory.
Offers an ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Certificate Program, and California state Bar-approved MCLE courses at three campus locations: Hayward, Concord and Oakland. The program qualifies students that complete the course for entry-level positions in the field, in law offices, corporations, government agencies or other organizations.
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California State University, Los Angeles
College of Extended Studies and International Programs – Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies
5151 State University Drive
Golden Eagle West, Room 217
Los Angeles, CA 90032-8619
Telephone: 323 343 4847
Fax: 323 343 4847
Degrees Offered: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program is 9 months (entry in Fall or Spring) or 1 yr (any quarter entry), and internships are elective.
The program operates on a quarter system, and offers three certificate tracks: Litigation, Corporate, and General. The program assists students who need to attend classes in the evening, with placement assistance. Entry is available every quarter, and student information meetings are held quarterly. The school is located in a new facility on the university campus, five miles from downtown L.A. The program has been ABA-approved since 1978.
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Cerritos Community College
Paralegal Studies Program
11110 East Alondra Boulevard
Norwalk, CA 90650-6298
Telephone: 562 860 2451 (Ext. 2710)
Fax: 562 467 5090
Degrees Offered: Associate in Arts, Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program is, for AA, approximately 2 yrs and for the certificate, approximately 1-2 semesters. Internships are elective.
For more information: www.cerritos.edu/paralegal
Cerritos Community College is located in Los Angeles County, 20 minutes from both downtown Los Angeles and downtown Orange County. The college has an internship program with 35+ locations, including private law offices, community legal aid office, local courthouses, State Attorney General’s Office, District Attorney’s Offices, and the Public Defender’s Office. Students completing an AA degree or higher when they entering the program can earn a Paralegal Certificate by taking 21 units of further courses.
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Coastline Community College
Paralegal Studies Program
11460 Warner Avenue
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Telephone: 714 546 7600 (Ext. 17319)
Fax: 714 751 3806
Degrees Offered: Associate Degree; Certificate
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College of the Canyons
Paralegal Studies Program
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Telephone: 661 259 7800 (Ext. 5377)
Fax: 661 259 8302
Degree offered: Associate of Arts
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Cuyamaca College
Paralegal Studies Program
900 Rancho San Diego Parkway
El Cajon, CA 92019-4303
Telephone: 619 660 4000
Fax: 619 660 4399
Degrees Offered: Associate in Science
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DeAnza College
Paralegal Program
21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino, CA 95014
Telephone: 408 864 8563
Fax: 408 864 5309
Degrees Offered: Associate Degree
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El Camino College
Paralegal Studies Program – Business Division
16007 Crenshaw Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90506-0003
Telephone: 310 660 3593 (Ext. 3789)
Fax: 310 660 3774
Degrees Offered: Associate in Science, Certificate of Competence
Minimum length of time to complete program is 2 years and internships are elective.
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Fullerton College
Paralegal Studies Program
321 East Chapman Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92832
Telephone: 714 992 7223
Fax: 714 992 9910
Degrees Offered: Associate in Science, Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program is 2 years for the AS degree, and internships are elective.
The Paralegal Studies Program aims to prepare students for employment in a paraprofessional capacity working under the supervision of an attorney. It is not intended to prepare students for the practice of law. In addition to an Associate of Science degree, the program also offers certificates to students who possess an Associate Degree or higher.
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Los Angeles City College
Paralegal Studies Program
855 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Telephone: 323 953 4000 (Ext. 2754)
Degrees Offered: Associate in Arts
Minimum length of time to complete program is 4 semesters, and internships are mandatory.
Description: The Paralegal Program at Los Angeles City College (L.A.C.C.) is ABA approved. L.A.C.C. is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. L.A.C.C. is conveniently located within minutes of downtown Los Angeles and the Wilshire corridor. L.A.C.C. is easily accessed via subway and bus. The Paralegal Program offers classes during the day, evenings and on weekends. Paralegal students receive valuable experience through the Paralegal Program’s internship class.
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Mount San Antonio College
Paralegal Studies Program – Business Administration Department
1100 North Grand Avenue
Walnut, CA 91789
Telephone: 909 594 5611 (Ext. 5189)
Fax: 909.468.3936
Degrees Offered: Associate in Science
Minimum length of time to complete program is 2 years, and internships are elective.
The program stresses practical application and the development of job skills as well as legal theory. The program is designed to enhance the ability of students to reason, understand, and apply correct principles of law by teaching analytical and critical thinking skills as opposed to rote learning. Graduates of the program will qualify for entry-level employment and will possess skills for advancement and specialization in the paralegal profession.
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Pasadena City College
Paralegal Studies Program – Business Education Division
1570 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91106-2003
Telephone: 626 585 7817
Fax: 626 585 7947
Degrees Offered: Associate in Science, Certificate
Internships are mandatory
The Program prepares students to assist attorneys as paralegals in administrative agencies, corporations, insurance companies, private law firms, government and other legal environments. Emphasis is on training students in both civil and criminal matters. Some of the services that the paralegal provides under the supervision of an attorney are legal research, development of law office systems, client interviews, drafts, pleadings, briefing cases, legal calendaring, preparing discovery for litigated cases, preparing drafts of wills and trusts, maintaining corporate records and minutes. Instructors in this ABA approved program, are attorneys or paralegals with practical knowledge in the field of law.
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San Diego Miramar College
Legal Assistant Program
10440 Black Mountain Road
San Diego, CA 92126
Telephone: 619 388 7892
Degrees Offered: Associate Degree, Certificate
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San Francisco State University – College of Extended Learning
Paralegal Studies Program
835 Market Street
6th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103-1901
Telephone: 415 817 4223
Fax: 415 817 4299
Degrees Offered: Certificate Program (30 upper division units)
Minimum length of time to complete program is four semesters, 12-18 months depending on student’s individual schedules. Internships are elective
The program is WASC and ABA approved and offers both daytime and evening classes for both full time and part time students. Student services include individual career counseling and placement assistance, financial assistance, and academic counseling. Classes are designed for working adults and concentrate on developing and enhancing writing skills, computer skills, and practical application of paralegal skills to the legal marketplace. The faculty includes attorney, paralegals who are SFSU graduates, and a judge. Students are required to complete 10 courses and may choose from several areas of specialization including: Advanced Litigation, Business, Corporate, Transactional, Probate & Estate Planning, Family Law and Administrative Law. There are 29 courses in the curriculum, and many Saturday Continuing Education classes to help paralegals meet the requirements of California Business & Professions Code.
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Santa Ana College
Paralegal Program
1530 W 17th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706-3398
Telephone: 714 564 6000
Fax: 714 564 6755
Degrees Offered: Associate Degree
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University of California, Irvine Extension
Paralegal Certificate Program
Post Office Box 6050
Irvine, CA 92716-6050
Telephone: 949 824 1228
Fax: 949 824 1547
Degrees Offered: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate; Post-Associate Certificate
Internships are elective.
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University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA Extension)
Paralegal Training Program – UCLA Extension
10995 LeConte Avenue, Suite 517
Los Angeles, CA 90024-1720
Telephone: 310 825 0299
Fax: 310 825 9242
Degrees Offered: Certificate Program, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Internships are elective.
The Paralegal Training Program (PTP) is approved by the American Bar Association and aims to prepare students to function as ethical, effective, and efficient professional paralegals in law firms, businesses, government, and nonprofit organizations; to perform a wide variety of legal work under the supervision of attorneys; and to adapt easily to the changing role of the paralegal as well as the changing needs of the legal community. The PTP provides training in substantive and procedural law, legal analysis, professional responsibility, legal forms, legal technology, and practical skills needed to work in the public or private sector as a competent and professional paralegal. This program fulfills educational requirements to practice as a paralegal in California. Instructors for the program are approved by the UCLA School of Law, and include practicing judges, attorneys, paralegals, and other legal professionals. Assistance in career counseling and job search opportunities are available to current students and program graduates.
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University of California, Riverside
Extension & Summer Session – Paralegal Certificate Program
1200 University Avenue
Riverside, CA 92507-4596
Telephone: 951 827 1634
Fax: 951 827 3043
Degrees Offered: Certificate
Approved by the American Bar Association, this program consists of an intensive curriculum combining legal theory with the practical skills required of paralegals and provides a quality, rigorous and challenging paralegal education to qualified individuals. Instructors are experienced judges and attorneys, and have experience in working with paralegals. The program meets the requirements of the California Business & Professions, and is of interest to those who want to enter the legal field, make a career change, or who are already working in a business or legal environment and want to enhance their legal knowledge and skills through a formalized course of study. Courses are offered during the evenings to better serve the working professional.
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University of California, San Diego
Paralegal Program – UCSD Extension
9500 Gilman Drive, #0170P
La Jolla, CA 92093-0172
Telephone: 858 534 8164
Fax: 858 534 8130
Degrees Offered: Certificate Program
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University of California, Santa Barbara
Paralegal Professional Certificate Program
6550 Hollister Ave.
Goleta, CA 93106
Telephone: 805 893 7440
Fax: 805 894 4943
Degrees Offered: Certificate Program
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University of San Diego
Paralegal Program
5998 Alcala Park
AW1-204
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: 619 260 4579
Fax: 619 260 2252
Degrees Offered: Post-Baccalaureate Degree
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West Los Angeles College
Paralegal Studies Program
9000 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230-3500
Telephone: 310 287 4438
Fax: 310 287 4392
Degrees Offered: Associate in Arts; Certificate
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West Valley College
Paralegal Program
14000 Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070-5698
Telephone: 408 741 4635
Fax: 408 741 2145
Degrees Offered: Associate in Science, Post-Degree Certificate (requires an AA/AS degree or higher)
Minimum length of time to complete program is 4 semesters, and internships are mandatory.
The Paralegal Program provides education and training required under California law for students who wish to enter the paralegal profession. Classes focus on developing and enhancing communication, technology, and practical legal skills. Area employers’ needs are monitors to ensure that our graduates have the skills and knowledge they will need. Examples of student services include career counseling, Financial Aid, and Educational Transition (Adult Re-Entry Program). Academic counseling and assistance if provided by the Program Director, Counseling, and Tutorial Services. The faculty includes attorneys, paralegals, and other legal professionals who have hands-on experience in the areas that they teach.
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Other Private Institutions
Fremont College
Paralegal Studies Program
18000 Studebaker Road, Suite 900A
Cerritos, CA 90703-5342
Telephone: 562 809 5100
Fax: 562 809 7100
Degrees Offered: Associate Degree
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John F. Kennedy University
Legal Studies Program
100 Ellinwood Way
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Telephone: 925 969 3492
Fax: 925 969 3328
Private university, 4 year
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts; Post-Associate Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program is 1 year for certificate, and internships are elective.
Offers an upper-division Paralegal Certificate embedded into a Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies. Operates on the quarter system, cater to the working student by offering all courses in the evening at the Pleasant Hill campus. The faculty is comprised of local, practicing attorneys and our students benefit from an on campus law library.
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MTI College
Paralegal Studies
5221 Madison Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95841
Department Chair, Paralegal Studies: Linda Gardenhire
Telephone: 916 339 1500 (Ext. 240)
Fax: 916 339 0305
Private institution, 2 year
Degrees Offered: Associate in Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Minimum length of time to complete program is 2 years, however the length can be shortened if student has college degrees or credits. Internships are elective.
Centrally located in Sacramento, MTI College offers limited class sizes, and a motivated student body, creating a student-friendly environment. Courses are taught by attorneys and paralegals with expertise in their fields, and student services include placement and a notary class. MTI endorses membership in the Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association, allowing access to networking and mentoring programs. MTI is a WASC accredited college.
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National University (Los Angeles and Sherman Oaks, CA campuses only)
Paralegal Studies Program
5245 Pacific Concourse Drive, Suite 129
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Telephone: 310 662 2115
Fax: 310 662 2110
Private institution, 4 year
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Science Degree; Post-baccalaureate and post-secondary certificates
Minimum length of time to complete program is 9 to 23 months, and internships are elective
Located in Southern California, National University is a WASC regionally accredited, ABA approved paralegal education program offering a bachelor’s degree. The program offers three program options to prepare students for the paralegal profession. National University also offers Paralegal Specialist Certificates in various substantive areas, including corporate, criminal, family, litigation, probate and estate planning and real estate.
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University of La Verne
Legal Studies Program
1950 Third Street
La Verne, CA 91750
Telephone: 909 593 3511, (Ext. 4428)
Fax: 909 392 2707
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Post- Associate Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program is 1.5 years, and Internships are elective.
Description: The Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies prepares the graduate for paralegal work in law offices, corporate legal departments, government agencies, or for graduate education. The paralegal program began in 1972 and is designed to meet the needs of working adults. Classes meet at night, each class meeting once a week for 15 weeks. Emphasis is on writing skills, substantive law, and practical application. Services include financial aid, career development and placement assistance, and services for disabled students and multicultural students. The University, which is over 112 years old, promotes values and ethics, and appreciation for diversity, lifelong learning and community service.
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Hi, I'm Keegan Albarn, a paralegal with 14 years of experience. I'm here to answer your questions, listen to your suggestions, and help you make better decisions when planning your career. Feel free get in touch and let me know how it's all going!