Paralegal Programs – The Best Schools for 2024

If you want to become certified as a paralegal, you’re not going to find a better training program than the one offered through Preppy.

Preppy is an incredibly unique learning platform that has partnered with renowned Auburn University to offer students comprehensive certification training.

This program is unlike any other we’ve seen before.

Here are just some of the things we love about Preppy…

To start, the programs can be completed in a far shorter time than most.

You could do it in as little as 3 to 6 months through Preppy!

Most courses with other schools will take anywhere from 9 months to two years to complete.

In addition to being the fastest program we’ve seen, it is also the most affordable. And in some cases, by a lot!

While doing our research, we were shocked (and a bit dismayed) to see some paralegal programs that cost up to 10x as much as this course.

There’s even an awesome monthly payment plan, just to make sure everyone can afford a quality education!

Here’s the secret sauce with Preppy and why it can offer such an amazing program for so little and that can be completed so quickly… the training is offered 100% online.

Online learning makes it easy for busy, working adults to develop the skills necessary to advance their careers.

Many certification programs on the market require either some or all of the training to happen in a classroom setting…this just isn’t realistic for working adults with family responsibilities.

But Preppy also includes an externship, so once you complete your online training, you can get some real-world hands-on experience.

This will set you apart from other candidates come job hunting time!

One of the things you’ll appreciate about Preppy’s training is that it is offered through Auburn University, which is an accredited and world-class institution known for offering exceptional curriculums.

So many certification programs on the market are through schools that are not accredited.

Preppy also offers what is called an “all-inclusive” tuition, which means all textbooks and learning materials are included.

Preppy even gives students a FREE LAPTOP.

This is simply unheard of in the industry and just one of the many reasons we think Preppy is such an exciting and unparalleled program.

Are we biased? 100% yes.

We’ve been in this industry a long time, and we’ve seen so many subpar training programs come and go.

We are so happy to finally see a paralegal training program that ticks all of the boxes!

If you are looking for a paralegal training program that will get you ready to take some of the major certification exams, then you won’t be disappointed with Preppy.

Complete your course in as little as 3 to 6 months, and study online at your own time and convenience! Simple.

HERE IS MORE ABOUT PREPPY’S ONLINE PARALEGAL TRAINING PROGRAM!

Bryon University is a private for-profit school that has been educating students for 80 years. The school focuses on preparing people with the knowledge and skills that will lead to specific professional careers.

Bryan University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (www.accsc.org).

The university offers an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies and Litigation Technologies. Students will learn the fundamentals of law as well as how to conduct investigative research, litigation, paralegal science, and more.

We like that this program is offered online and through an accredited school. The curriculum is thorough and all learning materials are included.

Few concerns:

To start, the tuition is very high, which surprised us considering it is offered online. At $26,000, this tuition is over 10x that of some others on this list.

The program also takes a longer time to complete since it’s an associate’s program as opposed to a certificate.

CALS is a for-profit school that opened its doors in 1987 and specializes in offering students paralegal education.

Center for Advanced Legal Studies is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE).

CALS’ certification program introduces students to law and ethics and instructs them on legal research and writing, corporate and business law, interviewing and investigation and much more.

We like the fact the curriculum is thorough and offered through an accredited school. Classes are also offered online.

Here are a few things we don’t like though:

While the classes are offered online, two nights a week those classes are live. This may be a challenge for some people who have job or family responsibilities.

The tuition is also mid-range (not the cheapest on the list) and the program will take longer to complete.

San Diego State University offers an online courses to provide the skills and knowledge needed for many careers. Programs are developed by professionals in each respective field with student support.

The paralegal program teaches students the fundamentals of the legal profession. Students will learn how to conduct legal research and interviews, as well as how to perform legal analysis and more. Some time will also be spent teaching soft skills that will increase workplace effectiveness.

We appreciate that this program is through an accredited university and offered online and that the curriculum is thorough. The school also offers support.

We do have a few concerns:

While the tuition is much lower than some on this list, it’s not the most affordable option. The program also takes 12 months to complete.

If you aim to get certified and begin working in as little time as possible, this may not be the right fit for you.

De Anza College has been instructing students for many years, preparing them for in-demand careers.

The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

De Anza does offer a paralegal training program that has been approved by The American Bar Association. The program readies students for careers as paralegals, instructing them on the fundamentals of the legal system, ethical standards, written and oral communication skills, and more.

We appreciate that the school is accredited and that the curriculum is thorough. Students are also offered support.

Something to note though…the tuition is the highest on this list, coming in at $32,000.

This program will also take 2 years to complete.

In our opinion, while a good candidate in many ways, it is simply not necessary to spend this much or take this long to get quality certification training.

The University of San Diego is a for-profit school that offers many academic courses and its paralegal program is recognized as one of the best in San Diego.

The paralegal program was started in 1029 by the USD School of Law and became one of the very few ABA-approved paralegal programs being offered.

The program takes quite an extensive approach with the students acquiring foundational knowledge as well as practical legal skills needed to excel in their careers.

The coursework covers a basic understanding of court structure, legal concepts, elements of legal research and analysis, as well as the paperwork and the technology involved in the practice.

Things that help this program stand out are the online delivery of lessons as well as the flexibility offered through daytime and evening programs. Additionally, the classrooms comply with ABA-synchronous instruction requirements.

And while these add convenience to the program, some factors do not go in its favor. The program is not available for students from certain states – Alabama, Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Rhode Island & Wisconsin.

Students enrolled in the program must stay in authorized states until the completion of the program. Moreover, the available internships can only be completed on-site, in San Diego County.