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
• Student Reviews

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.

• — 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.

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.

Cerritos College
11110 Alondra Blvd
Norwalk, CA 90650
(562) 860-2451
https://www.cerritos.edu

Student Review: “The Cerritos College Paralegal program is one of a kind in southern California as it is one of the one ABA backed program in Southern California. This helps with job placement once the program is completed. Lawyers find that having ABA Certification helpful because that course work is tough. The professors at Cerritos College are either judges or lawyers and are fairly knowledgeable in what they teach and how they teach it. The course work is tough but is rewarding as it prepares you for the life of a paralegal. They offer a variety of times for classes including online and night classes which was helpful for me because I also work full time at another job. All in all, I have no complaints about this program it is an all-around great program.” -Student at Cerritos College

De Anza College
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 864-8327
https://www.deanza.edu/

Student Review: “The paralegal certificate program at De Anza College was overall a good experience. The program is approved by the American Bar Association and can be completed in one year. The professors were knowledgeable and the coursework was challenging. I learned how to conduct legal research using code books, paid Internet services, and free services. I honed my writing skills and learned to read cases and compare their facts and findings to other cases. The professors were knowledgeable and wanted the students to retain the material. They also were helpful in relating practical workplace knowledge. In addition, guest speakers who work in the industry also gave guest lectures.” -Student at De Anza College

Humphreys College
6650 Inglewood Ave
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 478-0800
https://www.humphreys.edu/

Student Review: “At Humphreys College, I took a variety of classes to get my paralegal certificate. I would say that my favorite was Legal Research and Writing because I absolutely loved my professor. She always made sure to explain everything precisely and thoroughly. Although, just like any other college, I had some professors who were absolutely horrendous. For example, my Intro to Law/Civil Procedure class had a professor that spoke so softly the entire class had to huddle in the first two rows to hear him. All in all, the college life at Humphreys is pretty boring. You’ll have classes you love, some you like, and those you dread going to.” -Student at Humphreys College

Santa Ana College
1530 W 17th St
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 564-6005
https://www.sac.edu/Pages/default.aspx

Student Review: “The Santa Ana College paralegal program was a wonderful experience for me. I felt that I learned a lot and that the teachers were very knowledgeable about the subjects that they taught. The professors were also all members of the California Bar and had experience in practicing law outside of the school. There were a lot of classes to choose from depending on the specifics and direction you were headed after the program ended. There was also an internship class, which allowed the students to get real-world experience while still being in school. They offered hybrid classes (online and in-class settings), traditional classes, and classes that were strictly online only. This variety allows students the independence to select which classes that they wanted to complete and how those classes would be completed.” -Student at Santa Ana College

Santa Rosa Junior College
1501 Mendocino Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 527-4011
https://www.santarosa.edu/

Student Review: “The SRJC Paralegal program continues the SRJC legacy of quality, affordable, community education. The program director also taught many of the classes. She was firm in her expectations but very knowledgeable. The program offered many classes beyond the general requirements so that students could specialize their studies in the field based on their interests. The program also worked in conjunction with the Sonoma County Law Library to allow students access and classes within the library itself. This was so advantageous for my studies. This program also has a mandatory internship, connecting students with law offices in the area. At the time of graduation, every single graduating student had a job working as a paralegal thanks to the internships and the reputation of the SRJC programs. However, if considering practicing outside of Sonoma County, it should be noted that the SRJC Paralegal program is not ABA approved.” -Student at Santa Rosa Junior College

University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA 90095
(310) 825-4321
https://www.ucla.edu/

Student Review: “The UCLA Extension’s Paralegal Training Program (PTP) was an all-encompassing and very thorough education, with real-life examples often included in the classroom as part of the material. There were also many ways to get involved outside the classroom, as the Program offered lots of help with internships and volunteer opportunities, such as with The Lanier Law Firm in Los Angeles. The professors were all very knowledgeable in their fields, as well as friendly to approach. Due to the wide variety of firms and fields that alumni were involved in, it was much easier for me to make connections in the field, as well as continue with my education. However, despite all the positives, one of the drawbacks was the expensive cost of living and tuition with the program.” -Student at UCLA Los Angeles

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/