Which Washington (WA) Schools Offer Paralegal Studies Degree Programs?
Learn about schools in Washington State that offer paralegal programs. Get information about degrees available and compare program lengths, school enrollment and tuition costs.
Post-secondary students interested in pursuing paralegal studies in Washington State can choose between several colleges offering certificates and associate's degrees. Here's a look at four schools and their programs.
What You Need to Know
Your paralegal career could start with earning an associate's degree in the field. These programs take two years of study, and you'll learn about topics like legal ethics, legal writing and interviewing clients. You might also have a chance to participate in an internship.
If you already have an associate's or bachelor's degree, you could take an advanced paralegal certificate. This program would cover similar topics as the paralegal associate's degree, although it won't have the general education requirements.
Paralegal Associate's Degree Programs in Washington
Clark College
Located in a midsize city in southwest Washington, this school's paralegal program includes general education courses and specific legal assistant/paralegal classes, including legal writing and family law. You can also expect to complete an internship. You'll need to maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) throughout the program. Upon completion, you might secure employment in courts, law firms, justice administration or corporate legal departments.
- Program Name: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal
- Program Length: 90 credits
- Tuition and Fees: In-state, $4,287; out-of-state, $9,718 (2018-2019)
- Requirements: Reading, writing and math placement tests
- School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 9,878 undergraduate students
Edmonds Community College
Located north of Seattle, this school's paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). This program requires minimum computer skills for graduation and courses are offered during the day, at night and online. However, at least 15 paralegal credits need to be taken on-campus. Required courses include civil procedure and contracts. You can also study legal ethics, investigation techniques and estate planning.
- Program Name: Associate of Technical Arts Paralegal Program
- Program Length: 90 credits
- Tuition and Fees: In-state, $4,136; out-of-state, $9,506 (2018-2019)
- Requirements: Meet with a faculty advisor
- School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 8,041 undergraduate students
Spokane Community College
In this program, you can learn to conduct legal research, prepare legal documents, write detailed procedures and summarize depositions. You'd take general courses, basic law classes and specialty law courses. Courses you might take include employment law, torts, insurance law and trial preparation. This program is approved by the ABA.
- Program Name: Paralegal A.A.S.
- Program Length: Up to 98 credits (about 2 years)
- Tuition and Fees: In-state, $3,547; out-of-state, $8,914 (2018-2019)
- Requirements: Assessment test
- School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 10,375 undergraduate students
Tacoma Community College
Located in a midsize city south of Seattle, this school's program would train you to conduct research, prepare legal documents, interview clients and prepare clients for court hearings. You can study civil procedures, bankruptcy law and estate planning and participate in an internship. Approved by the ABA, this program would prepare you for employment in corporate legal departments, law offices, private investigation firms, public agencies and court systems.
- Program Name: Associate in Applied Science, Paralegal
- Program Length: 2 years
- Tuition and Fees: In-state, $4,276; out-of-state, $9,706 (2018-2019)
- Requirements: Assessment of college level reading and English; attend a virtual information session
- School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 6,242 undergraduate students
Advanced Paralegal Certificate Programs in Washington
Edmonds Community College
This certificate program might be right for you if you already have a bachelor's degree in another field or want to earn one while enrolled in this program. Although the training is not advanced and the coursework is equivalent to the associate's program, it might meet your needs in acquiring the training you need to work as a paralegal and find employment in areas of the legal community where a paralegal certificate and a bachelor's degree are both required.
- Program Name: Advanced Paralegal Certificate
- Program Length: Minimum 35 credits
- Tuition and Fees: In-state, $4,136; out-of-state, $9,506 (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree or ability to complete one through this program
- Requirements: Meet with a faculty advisor
- School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 8,041 undergraduate students
Tacoma Community College
If you're interested in working as a paralegal and have a degree in another field or if you are already working as a paralegal, but would like to get specialized training, you can complete this certificate program. You'll take courses in document production and paralegal fundamentals, which covers specific legal areas, ethics and career options. The program includes courses covering civil laws and procedures, legal writing and transition planning. A required and elective internship are included in the curriculum.
- Program Name: Paralegal Preferred Pro-Certificate
- Program Length: 55 credits
- Tuition and Fees: In-state, $4,276; out-of-state, $9,706 (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: Associate's degree or bachelor's degree
- Requirements: Assessment of college level reading and English; attend a virtual information session
- School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 6,242 undergraduate students
As you continue to look into paralegal programs, remember that four Washington State schools offer advanced certificates and associate's degrees in paralegal studies.