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.
Featured Online Programs
Explore program formats, transfer requirements, financial aid packages, and more by contacting the schools below.
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:
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.
Featured Online Programs
Explore program formats, transfer requirements, financial aid packages, and more by contacting the schools below.
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 StudiesCertificate | Paralegal Studies
American River College (Sacramento)*Associate of Arts | Legal AssistingCertificate | Legal AssistingCertificate | Law Office Clerical Assistant
Brandman University (Irvine)Bachelor of Arts | Legal Studies, Paralegal ProfessionUndergraduate Certificate | Paralegal
California Lutheran University (Thousand Oaks)Minor | Legal Studies
California State University East Bay (Hayward)*Bachelor of Arts | Political Science: Pre-Law OptionCertificate | Paralegal Studies
California State University Los Angeles (Los Angeles)*Minor | Law and SocietyCertificate | Paralegal Studies
Canada College (Redwood City)Associate of Science | ParalegalCertificate 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 StudiesCertificate | Paralegal Studies
Chaffey College (Rancho Cucamonga)Program | Pre-Law StudiesCertificate | Paralegal Studies
City College of San Francisco (San Francisco)Associate of Science | Paralegal/Legal StudiesCertificate of Achievement | Paralegal/Legal Studies
Coastline Community College (Fountain Valley)*Associate in Arts | ParalegalCertificate | Paralegal
College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita)*Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies
College of the Sequoias (Visalia)Associate of Science | ParalegalCertificate | Law Office Clerk/ReceptionistCertificate | Legal SecretaryCertificate | Paralegal
Cuesta College (San Luis Obispo)Associate of Arts | ParalegalAssociate of Arts | Legal Studies: BusinessAssociate of Arts | Legal Studies: Social ScienceCertificate | Paralegal
Cuyamaca College (El Cajon)*Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies
De Anza College (Cupertino)*Associate of Arts | Paralegal StudiesCertificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies
El Camino Community College (Torrance)*Associate of Arts | Paralegal StudiesCertificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies
Evergreen Valley College (San Jose)Associate in Arts | Paralegal / Legal AssistantAssociate in Science | Paralegal / Legal AssistantCertificate | Paralegal / Legal Assistant
Fremont College (Cerritos)*Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies
Fresno City College (Fresno)Associate of Science | Paralegal StudiesCertificate | Paralegal Studies
Fullerton College (Fullerton)*Associate of Arts | Legal Office AdministrationAssociate of Science | Paralegal StudiesCertificate | Paralegal Studies
Glendale Community CollegeCertificate | Legal Secretary
Humphreys College (Stockton, CA)Associate of Arts | Legal StudiesAssociate of Science | Court ReportingAssociate of Arts | Court ReportingBachelor of Arts | Legal StudiesBachelor of Science | Court ReportingBachelor of Science | Court Reporting (online)Minor | Legal StudiesCertificate of Completion | Paralegal Studies
Irvine Valley College (Irvine)Associate in Science | Paralegal StudiesCertificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies
John F. Kennedy University (Pleasant Hill)*Bachelor of Arts | Legal StudiesCertificate | Paralegal
Los Angeles City College (Los Angeles)*Associate of Arts | Paralegal Studies
Los Angeles Mission College (Sylmar)Associate of Arts | Legal Assisting/ParalegalCertificate | Legal Assisting/ParalegalCertificate | Paralegal (online program)
Los Angeles Southwest College (Los Angeles)Associate of Arts | Law/ParalegalCertificate | Legal Office AssistantCertificate | 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 StudiesCertificate of Achievement | Paralegal StudiesCertificate | Legal Office Assistant
Mount San Antonio College (Walnut)*Associate of Science | Paralegal/Legal Assistant
National University (Los Angeles, Woodland Hills)*Associate of Science | Paralegal StudiesBachelor of Science | Paralegal StudiesBachelor of Arts | Pre-Law StudiesMinor | Business LawCertificate | Paralegal SpecialistCertificate | Paralegal Specialist: Corporations SpecializationCertificate | Paralegal Specialist: Criminal Law SpecializationCertificate | Paralegal Specialist: Litigation Specialization
Oxnard College (Oxnard)Associate of Science | Paralegal StudiesCertificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies
Palomar College (San Marcos)Associate of Arts | Legal Studies
Pasadena City College (Pasadena)*Associate of Science | Paralegal StudiesCertificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies
Pepperdine University (Malibu)Master of Legal Studies
Platt College (Alhambra; Ontario; Riverside)Associate of Arts | Paralegal StudiesBachelor of Arts | Paralegal Studies
Riverside City College (Riverside)Associate of Science | Paralegal StudiesCertificate | Legal Administrative Professional
San Diego Miramar College (San Diego)Associate of Science | ParalegalCertificate | Paralegal
San Francisco State University – College of Extended Learning (San Francisco)*Academic Credit Certificate | Paralegal Studies
Santa Ana College (Santa Ana)*Associate of Arts | ParalegalCertificate | 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 AssistantCertificate | Paralegal, Legal Assistant
Southwestern College (Chula Vista)Associate in Science | Paralegal StudiesCertificate of Achievement | Paralegal Studies
University of California – Berkeley (Berkeley)Certificate | Paralegal
University of California – Irvine (Irvine)*Certificate | ParalegalCertificate | Paralegal: Accelerated OptionCertificate | Legal and Forensic PsychologySpecialized Studies Award | Legal Risk Management
University of California – Los Angeles (Los Angeles)*Certificate | Paralegal StudiesCertificate | Legal Technology
University of California – Riverside (Riverside)*Certificate | Paralegal StudiesCertificate | Legal Nurse Consulting
University of California – San Diego (San Diego)*Certificate | ParalegalCertificate | Paralegal: AcceleratedCertificate | Litigation Technology Management
University of California – Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara)*Certificate | Paralegal Studies
University of La Verne (La Verne)*Bachelor of Science | Legal StudiesMinor | American LawCertificate | Paralegal StudiesProgram | Pre-Law
University of San Diego (San Diego)*Master of Science | Legal StudiesMaster of Science | Legal Studies: Business and Corporate LawMaster of Science | Legal Studies: Criminal LawMaster of Science | Legal Studies: Environmental and Energy LawMaster of Science | Legal Studies: International LawCertificate | Paralegal Studies
University of San Francisco (San Francisco)Minor | Legal StudiesMaster of Legal Studies | TaxationMaster 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 StudiesCertificate | Paralegal Studies
West Valley College (Saratoga)*Associate of Science | ParalegalAssociate of Science | Court ReportingAssociate of Science | Legal TranscriptionCertificate | ParalegalCertificate | Court ReportingCertificate | Legal SecretaryCertificate | 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.
References:1. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm2. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm3. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2018 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm4. American Lawyer: https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/?slreturn=20171006115047
