California Paralegal Schools

California boasts the largest state economy in the US. In the coming years, jobs growth should be particularly strong for paralegals and legal assistants in California, projected at 18% through 2024, compared to projections for 15% growth across the US as a whole.^1,2 Pairing growth with good salary expectations in the state, earning a paralegal degree at a California paralegal school could make sense to those interested in a legal career.

How to Become a Paralegal in California

There are a number of different programs of varying lengths at California paralegal schools. Unlike most other states, California has specific requirements for paralegals. To become a paralegal in California, you must possess at least one of the following:

• A paralegal certificate from a school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA)
• The completion of a minimum of 24 semester hours in paralegal studies from a school accredited by the state
• A bachelor's degree or higher in any subject AND a minimum of one year of experience working under an attorney with a minimum of three years of experience in California law

Paralegal Quote: "We work in stealth, in often unrecognized contributions that may appear small when taken individually, but which have enormous ripple effect in the aggregate. I gain intrinsic satisfaction from the knowledge that my work produces this benefit." 

Barbara Liss, President of the Santa Barbara Paralegal Association

California Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook

Projections Central reports that through 2026, paralegal and legal assistant jobs are expected to grow about 18% in California with 3,790 annual openings (including replacements), which is higher than average.^1,2 Paralegals in California also earn higher than average wages, with a mean annual salary of $61,240 statewide as of 2018.³ During the same time period, four California metros (San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, and San Diego-Carlsbad) were in the list of the top 10 highest-paying metros for paralegals.³ Along with law firms, a number of tech companies in Silicon Valley and city governments throughout the state offer possibilities for employment in the private and public sectors.

California Paralegal Career Interviews

• Stacey G. Hunt, President, Central Coast Paralegal Association in California
• Kristine Custodio, President, San Diego Paralegal Association
• Barbara Liss, President of the Santa Barbara Paralegal Association

Profiles of Well-Known Schools in California

San Francisco State University: Within San Francisco State University's College of Extended Learning is the city's only ABA-approved Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Students can complete the program, which is comprised of 30 credit hours, in as little as 18 months. The first seven courses are core paralegal subjects while the upper-level electives are rotated between different specialization areas. Students can specialize in either Corporate and Business Practice, Advanced Litigation, or Estate Planning and Elder Law. Over a dozen star paralegal faculty teach at SFSU and are all current or former legal professionals.

College of the Canyons: Students at College of the Canyons can pursue an Associate in Arts (AA) in Paralegal Studies through the college's Paralegal Department. The 61-credit AA program is based on the broad study of the American legal system and the role of the modern paralegal. Students in the program learn legal theory and its applications in substantive law. Courses also cover the role of the paralegal in litigation, arbitration, and mediation, as well as legal research, interviewing, and investigation. The program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and meets the minimum coursework requirements to work as a paralegal in California. Students may pursue the degree on either the Valencia or Canyon Country campuses through either full- or part-time study. Most classes are offered in the evenings.

John F. Kennedy University: John F. Kennedy University is home to the only paralegal bachelor's degree in Northern California that holds approval from the American Bar Association, (ABA). Students pursuing the BA program may earn a Paralegal Certificate at the same time, providing strong preparation for professional legal support careers. At least 180 quarter units are required to earn the degree, with 68 of those units comprised of courses within the legal studies major. The department's faculty are all practicing attorneys with strong ties to the local legal community. The Legal Studies program is housed within the John F. Kennedy University law school, providing students with access to a conveniently located, world-class law library.

Top Law Firms for Paralegal Graduates in California

• With locations across California, Best Best & Krieger LLP provides full service consulting and litigation for its clients in a range of industries. The firm is continually growing, and its staff enjoys a congenial working atmosphere and high job satisfaction.
• Loeb & Loeb LLP is regularly recognized as one of the top entertainment and media law firms in California, and its attorneys frequently receive national recognition for their accomplishments. Established in 1909, Loeb & Loeb also works in other practice areas. Staff at Loeb & Loeb are organized in teams to better service its variety of clients, and the company considers it a priority to have senior attorneys involved in all work provided to clients.
• Crowell & Moring LLP has been ranked as one of the top 50 law firms in the US by "American Lawyer."⁴ Crowell & Moring is a global company with offices across the US, including offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orange County. It hires paralegal graduates to staff multiple departments in its effort to provide top quality service to clients.

Paralegal Schools and Programs in California

An asterisk indicates that one or more of the school's programs have been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Allan Hancock College (Santa Maria)
Associate in Science | Paralegal Studies
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

American River College (Sacramento)*
Associate of Arts | Legal Assisting
Certificate | Legal Assisting
Certificate | Law Office Clerical Assistant

Brandman University (Irvine)
Bachelor of Arts | Legal Studies, Paralegal Profession
Undergraduate Certificate | Paralegal

California Lutheran University (Thousand Oaks)
Minor | Legal Studies

California State University East Bay (Hayward)*
Bachelor of Arts | Political Science: Pre-Law Option
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

California State University Los Angeles (Los Angeles)*
Minor | Law and Society
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

Canada College (Redwood City)
Associate of Science | Paralegal
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal

Cerritos Community College (Norwalk)*
Associate of Arts | Law (Paralegal)
Certificate of Achievement | Law (Paralegal)

Cerro Coso Community College (Ridgecrest)
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

Chaffey College (Rancho Cucamonga)
Program | Pre-Law Studies
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

City College of San Francisco (San Francisco)
Associate of Science | Paralegal/Legal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal/Legal Studies

Coastline Community College (Fountain Valley)*
Associate in Arts | Paralegal
Certificate | Paralegal

College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita)*
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies

College of the Sequoias (Visalia)
Associate of Science | Paralegal
Certificate | Law Office Clerk/Receptionist
Certificate | Legal Secretary
Certificate | Paralegal

Cuesta College (San Luis Obispo)
Associate of Arts | Paralegal
Associate of Arts | Legal Studies: Business
Associate of Arts | Legal Studies: Social Science
Certificate | Paralegal

Cuyamaca College (El Cajon)*
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies

De Anza College (Cupertino)*
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies

El Camino Community College (Torrance)*
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies

Evergreen Valley College (San Jose)
Associate in Arts | Paralegal / Legal Assistant
Associate in Science | Paralegal / Legal Assistant
Certificate | Paralegal / Legal Assistant

Fremont College (Cerritos)*
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies

Fresno City College (Fresno)
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

Fullerton College (Fullerton)*
Associate of Arts | Legal Office Administration
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

Glendale Community College
Certificate | Legal Secretary

Humphreys College (Stockton, CA)
Associate of Arts | Legal Studies
Associate of Science | Court Reporting
Associate of Arts | Court Reporting
Bachelor of Arts | Legal Studies
Bachelor of Science | Court Reporting
Bachelor of Science | Court Reporting (online)
Minor | Legal Studies
Certificate of Completion | Paralegal Studies

Irvine Valley College (Irvine)
Associate in Science | Paralegal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies

John F. Kennedy University (Pleasant Hill)*
Bachelor of Arts | Legal Studies
Certificate | Paralegal

Los Angeles City College (Los Angeles)*
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies

Los Angeles Mission College (Sylmar)
Associate of Arts | Legal Assisting/Paralegal
Certificate | Legal Assisting/Paralegal
Certificate | Paralegal (online program)

Los Angeles Southwest College (Los Angeles)
Associate of Arts | Law/Paralegal
Certificate | Legal Office Assistant
Certificate | Law Office Specialist

Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles)
Master of Science | Legal Studies

Merced College (Merced)
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies

Merritt College (Oakland)
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies
Certificate | Legal Office Assistant

Mount San Antonio College (Walnut)*
Associate of Science | Paralegal/Legal Assistant

National University (Los Angeles, Woodland Hills)*
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies
Bachelor of Science | Paralegal Studies
Bachelor of Arts | Pre-Law Studies
Minor | Business Law
Certificate | Paralegal Specialist
Certificate | Paralegal Specialist: Corporations Specialization
Certificate | Paralegal Specialist: Criminal Law Specialization
Certificate | Paralegal Specialist: Litigation Specialization

Oxnard College (Oxnard)
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies

Palomar College (San Marcos)
Associate of Arts | Legal Studies

Pasadena City College (Pasadena)*
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies

Pepperdine University (Malibu)
Master of Legal Studies

Platt College (Alhambra; Ontario; Riverside)
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies
Bachelor of Arts | Paralegal Studies

Riverside City College (Riverside)
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies
Certificate | Legal Administrative Professional

San Diego Miramar College (San Diego)
Associate of Science | Paralegal
Certificate | Paralegal

San Francisco State University - College of Extended Learning (San Francisco)*
Academic Credit Certificate | Paralegal Studies

Santa Ana College (Santa Ana)*
Associate of Arts | Paralegal
Certificate | Paralegal

Santa Clara University (Santa Clara)
Master of Legal Studies

Santa Rosa Junior College (Santa Rosa)
Associate in Arts | Paralegal Studies

Skyline College (San Bruno)
Associate of Arts | Paralegal, Legal Assistant
Certificate | Paralegal, Legal Assistant

Southwestern College (Chula Vista)
Associate in Science | Paralegal Studies
Certificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies

University of California - Berkeley (Berkeley)
Certificate | Paralegal

University of California - Irvine (Irvine)*
Certificate | Paralegal
Certificate | Paralegal: Accelerated Option
Certificate | Legal and Forensic Psychology
Specialized Studies Award | Legal Risk Management

University of California - Los Angeles (Los Angeles)*
Certificate | Paralegal Studies
Certificate | Legal Technology

University of California - Riverside (Riverside)*
Certificate | Paralegal Studies
Certificate | Legal Nurse Consulting

University of California - San Diego (San Diego)*
Certificate | Paralegal
Certificate | Paralegal: Accelerated
Certificate | Litigation Technology Management

University of California - Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara)*
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

University of La Verne (La Verne)*
Bachelor of Science | Legal Studies
Minor | American Law
Certificate | Paralegal Studies
Program | Pre-Law

University of San Diego (San Diego)*
Master of Science | Legal Studies
Master of Science | Legal Studies: Business and Corporate Law
Master of Science | Legal Studies: Criminal Law
Master of Science | Legal Studies: Environmental and Energy Law
Master of Science | Legal Studies: International Law
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

University of San Francisco (San Francisco)
Minor | Legal Studies
Master of Legal Studies | Taxation
Master of Studies in Law

University of Southern California (Los Angeles)
Certificate | US Legal Studies

Victor Valley College (Victorville)
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

West Los Angeles College (Culver City)*
Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies
Certificate | Paralegal Studies

West Valley College (Saratoga)*
Associate of Science | Paralegal
Associate of Science | Court Reporting
Associate of Science | Legal Transcription
Certificate | Paralegal
Certificate | Court Reporting
Certificate | Legal Secretary
Certificate | Legal Transcription

*Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA)

Additional Resources

• California Alliance of Paralegal Associations - This non-profit organization seeks to advance the careers of California paralegals by providing resources and information about the profession.

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References:
1. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2018 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
4. American Lawyer: https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/?slreturn=20171006115047