Where Can I Earn a Paralegal Studies Degree in San Antonio, Texas?

Learn about paralegal programs in the San Antonio, Texas, area. Get information about degrees available and admission and program requirements to make an informed decision about your education. Schools offering Paralegal degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

Paralegal Education and Certification Options in Texas

Paralegals often have an associate's degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor's degree with a certificate in paralegal studies, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, in the San Antonio region, certificate programs are more abundant than degree programs. As of 2012, the BLS stated there were approximately 1,000 national programs in paralegal studies offered by colleges and universities, including 270 that the American Bar Association (ABA) approves.

You can earn voluntary certification credentials from a variety of national professional paralegal organizations. Certification options include Certified Legal Assistant (CLA), Certified Paralegal (CP), Registered Paralegal (RP) or Professional Paralegal (PP). You might also earn an Advanced Paralegal Certification (APC). Certification requirements vary, but most are based on education and experience. In addition, the Texas Board of Legal Specialization offers certification exams, which allow you to earn the designation of Board Certified Paralegal (BCP).

Salary and Job Outlook Info for Paralegals in the San Antonio Area

According to the BLS, the annual mean wage for paralegals and legal assistants in Texas was around $50,000 as of May 2011, which was about the same as the national annual mean wage. At that same time, the average annual wage for paralegals in the San Antonio - New Braunfels area was somewhat lower, at approximately $49,000. Nationwide, the employment of paralegals was predicted to grow by 18% from 2010-2020. The fast-as-average growth can be attributed to employers reducing costs by hiring fewer lawyers and more paralegals who perform a wide variety of tasks, including duties once fulfilled by lawyers.

Paralegal Certificate Programs in San Antonio, Texas

Palo Alto College

  • Program Name: Paralegal Certificate
  • Program Length: 18 months full-time
  • Tuition: $2,500 for program (2012)
  • Admission Requirements: Attend group advising and take placement test (or submit ACT/SAT scores)
  • School Type: 2-year, public; about 9,200 undergraduate students
  • Address: 1400 Villaret, San Antonio, TX 78224
  • Phone: 210-486-3400

Offered through this school's continuing education division, the classes in this program are taught by lawyers and paralegals. In addition to tort and personal injury law and family law, you also complete courses in notary public training, paralegal software, interviewing and investigating, legal ethics, trial preparation and legal research. This program requires a 30-hour internship, which gives you hands-on experience in a law office or similar legal organization.

University of Texas at San Antonio

  • Program Name: Paralegal Certificate
  • Program Length: 11 months full-time
  • Tuition: In-state tuition and fees are $7,042 per year; out-of-state tuition and fees are $14,554 per year (2011-2012)
  • Prerequisites: Minimum 12 hours of college credit, including freshman English or relevant work experience
  • Admission Requirements: Good typing skills, familiarity with Internet and word-processing software
  • School Type: 4-year, public; about 26,300 undergraduate and 4,700 graduate students
  • Address: 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249
  • Phone: 210-458-7420

Along with coursework in family, criminal and civil law, the intensive, 11-month on-campus program includes classes in legal research, legal software, contracts, legal writing, wills and probate. This school also offers an entirely online paralegal certificate program with no campus visits required. In the online program, you can expect required 'field trips' to a Texas county courthouse and a library.

Paralegal Associate's Degree Programs in San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio College

  • Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
  • Program Length: 6 semesters full-time
  • Tuition: In-district tuition and fees are $1,952 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $3,632 per year; out-of-state tuition and fees are $6,992 per year (2011-2012)
  • Admission Requirements: Attend group advising and take placement test (or submit ACT/SAT scores)
  • School Type: 2-year, public; about 25,600 undergraduate students
  • Address: 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212
  • Phone: 210-486-0531

This degree program includes a variety of legal courses, such as family law, legal document preparation, legal research, civil litigation, elder law, torts and personal injury law, interviewing and investigating, criminal law and contracts. You also complete general education classes, such as math, English composition and social science. In your 5th semester, you take part in an internship where you can apply your skills.

Paralegal Graduate Certificate Programs in the San Antonio Area

Texas State University - San Marcos

  • Program Name: Paralegal Certificate
  • Program Length: 24 credit hours (about 1 year full-time)
  • Tuition: In-state tuition is $4,518 per year; out-of-state tuition is $10,152 per year (2011-2012)
  • Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA in last 60 hours of coursework
  • Admission Requirements: Apply as a non-degree seeking student through the Graduate College; interview with the director
  • School Type: 4-year, public; about 29,000 undergraduate and 5,100 graduate students
  • Address: 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666
  • Phone: 512-245-2143

The Texas State University - San Marcos offers a program approved by the ABA. An internship is required, unless you have law office experience. If so, you may get permission to take a special emphasis practicum instead. In addition to your required legal courses, you choose 9 hours of electives in areas such as administrative law, alternative dispute resolution, business organizations, estates and trusts, criminal law, family law, law office management, social legislation, real estate and intellectual property.

To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:

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