Paralegal Training Cost

Typical costs:

• The most common method of paralegal training is through a community college paralegal program leading to an associate's degree. Full-time tuition and fees for a two-year degree, based on two 15-unit semesters, is about $600 to $5,400 per year. California has one of the lowest per-unit rates, $26, while the Community College of Vermont is at the top of the scale with a per-credit cost of $205 for in-state residents. See How Much Does Community College Cost for more information.
• Some state colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in paralegal studies. These programs cost about $5,000-$23,000 per year, depending on whether the student is an in-state or out-of-state resident. The New York City College of Technology^[1] , run by The City University of New York, offers a four-year bachelor's degree course in Legal Assistant Studies approved by the American Bar Association. Its in-state tuition and fees are $4,600 per year; out-of-state tuition and fees are $12,450 per year. See How Much Does College Cost for more details.
• For those who already have a college degree in another field, a certificate in paralegal studies is considered sufficient training and costs $3,000-$8,000 or more. UCLA Extension^[2] offers a five-month classroom course for $5,500 plus a nonrefundable $150 application fee.
• Various private business and vocational schools offer both associate's degree courses and certificate programs in paralegal studies, for $5,000-$12,000 or more. Studying with the Center for Advanced Legal Studies^[3] in Texas costs $10,500 for a certificate in paralegal studies that can be completed in seven months. An associate's degree in paralegal studies costs $21,700 and can be completed in 15 months.
• Correspondence or online courses for a certificate in paralegal studies cost $3,000 to $10,000 or more. UC Berkeley^[4] offers a two-part online course. Each part costs $1,750 and must be completed within three months.
• Some employers offer on-the-job training for paralegals. Check with prospective employers such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and various levels of government.

• According to the US Department of Labor^[5] , Paralegal associate's and bachelor's degree courses usually combine paralegal training with classes in other academic subjects.
• Most paralegal certificate programs provide intensive paralegal training for those who hold college degrees in other fields.
• Paralegal training should include courses in legal research and the legal applications of computers.
• Some paralegal training courses offer internship work experience in a private law firm, corporate legal department or government agency.

• The National Association of Legal Assistants^[6] , The American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc.^[7] , and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations ^[8] all offer paralegal certifications based on experience and/or passing an exam. The costs are about $75 to $400. Most employers do not require membership in one of these groups, according to US Department of Labor^[9] .
• Books and supplies for associate's degree studies cost about $759 at the City University of New York: Bronx Community College. At California community colleges, books cost about $1,500, according to CaliforniaColleges.edu^[10] .
• Costs for room and board range from about $2,000 per year at Hinds Community College in Mississippi to $9,920 at Ilisagvik College in Alaska, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

• Financial aid is available from most community colleges and universities. Check their specific websites for eligibility and application requirements. The College Board^[11] also offers information on financial aid.

• The American Bar Association ^[12] offers a directory of approved paralegal programs.
• The American Association of Community Colleges^[13] offers a national directory of community colleges.
• The American Association of Colleges and Universities offers an online list of state colleges.
• The US Department of Education maintains an online College Navigator^[14] which locates schools by zip code and degree requirements.

1.  www.citytech.cuny.edu/academics/deptsites/legalstudies/programs.shtml
2.  www3.uclaextension.edu/index.cfm?href=/departmentalPages/index.cfm&department=/aat...
3.  www.paralegal.edu
4.  extension.berkeley.edu/spos/paralegal.html
5.  www.bls.gov/ooh/Legal/Paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm
6.  www.nala.org/Default.aspx
7.  www.aapipara.org
8.  www.paralegals.org/index.cfm
9.  www.bls.gov/ooh/Legal/Paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm
10.  /secure.californiacolleges.edu/finance/how-much-does-college-cost.asp
11.  /bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/financial-aid-101/financial-aid-can-he...
12.  apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/
13.  www.aacc.nche.edu/pages/ccfinder.aspx
14.  nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/

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