Which Oregon Schools Offer Degrees in Paralegal Studies?

If you aspire to have a career as a paralegal in Oregon, there are a couple of options to attain an associate's degree. Here you will find information about two public colleges that offer the programs.

What You Need to Know

Schools in Oregon offering paralegal studies degrees are usually 2-year institutions. You could earn a 2-year associate's degree in a program approved by the American Bar Association, or in a program that offers some of its courses through distance learning. A cooperative learning experience may be required. You might want to pursue industry certification upon completion of your degree program, to earn an extra edge when seeking employment. Keep reading to learn more details about degree programs in Oregon.

Paralegal Associate's Degree Programs in Oregon

Portland Community College

Since 1961, this school system has grown to incorporate three locations around Portland. The paralegal studies program is available at the Cascades campus in the northern part of Portland and is approved by the American Bar Association. As a student in this program, you explore legal software use, legal ethics, legal research tactics, interviewing techniques, document drafting and law fundamentals. This school also offers a certificate program that can take about one year to complete. If you'd like to continue your education, credits earned at Portland Community College can be transferred to a related program at Portland State University.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science
• Program Length: Two years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $4,340 for residents, $9,200 for non-residents (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites/Requirements: High school diploma or its equivalent; counselor and college permission for students 16 and under; math, reading and writing placement test completion
• School Type: 2-year, public; 27,046 students (all undergraduates)

Umpqua Community College (UCC)

Established in 1964, this school is based near the southwest edge of the state in Douglas County. Its paralegal studies programs can train you to understand various types of laws, civil procedures, legal writing and research, probates, torts and wills.

If you live farther north, you may be interested in taking courses through Lane Community College (LCC). LCC has partnered with UCC to provide the paralegal associate's program to students that don't live near Roseburg. LCC offers most of UCC's courses, but not all; you may need to transfer to UCC in order to complete the program. However, the rest of your required courses can be completed online though the UCC distance-learning program.

In order to earn UCC's paralegal associate's degree, you're required to complete a cooperative education experience. If you're a student living in Lane County, you can complete these requirements locally with the assistance of LCC.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science
• Program Length: Two years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $5,001 for residents, $5,586 for non-residents (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites/Requirements: High school diploma or its equivalent; counselor and college permission if underage
• School Type: 2-year, public; 2,703 students (all undergraduates)

As highlighted in this article, there are two schools in Oregon where you can get an associate degree in paralegal studies: Portland Community College and Umpqua Community College.