Trade Schools
If you want to start a non-lawyer career in the legal field, the paralegal profession is worth exploring.
With an estimated job growth of 14 percent, paralegals and legal assistants will continue to be needed in law offices to perform a variety of tasks.
As a paralegal, your main responsibilities will be:
- Drafting legal documents
- Investigating facts relevant to a case
- Organizing and maintaining documents on paper and in electronic formats
- Helping lawyers during trials
- File exhibits, briefs, and other documents
- And more
Before being ready for employment in this field, the first step is to earn a certificate or degree in paralegal studies.
If you live in Maine, there are programs available to prepare you for employment after graduation at schools in your state or online- provided by schools located in other states.
To help you choose the format that best meets your needs, on this page, we have compiled information about the best paralegal training programs available for Maine students.
1University of Maine Augusta
About the School
University of Maine Augusta provides 41 programs that lead to degrees, 15 certificates, and specialized courses that help students improve their careers or start new ones.
The university has campuses in Augusta and Bangor.
University of Maine Augusta is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education as part of the Commission’s accreditation of the University of Maine System.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Studies Certificate available at the University of Maine Augusta prepares students for employment as paralegals or other law-related positions in public and private agencies.
Students must complete 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited university or college as a prerequisite for this program.
The Certificate requirements include:
- Legal Research and Materials
- Real Estate Transfer Procedures
- Principles of Litigation
- Estate Administration Professional Responsibility
Students also have to complete Family Law or a Paralegal Practicum
Employment for a continuous year as a paralegal is recognized as an equivalent to the Paralegal Practicum.
Contact Information
- Address: 46 University Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330-9488
- Phone: 1.877.UMA.1234
- Website: https://www.uma.edu
2Husson University
About the School
Husson University provides a variety of legal courses through its School of Legal Studies.
The university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Regular undergraduate tuition is $684 per credit or $21,204 for a full load (31 credits).
Tuition for summer school is $616 per credit hour.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Conservation Law
- Criminal Justice
- Forensic Science
- Legal Studies- Pre-Law
The Legal Studies- Pre-Law program provides students with skills for success in the legal field and specific preparation for the law school curriculum.
Students who complete the Pre-Law Concentration will have completed a curriculum that covers the American Bar Association Core Skills and Values.
The Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies requires 122 semester hours, including Husson University General Education requirements and Legal Studies, Business, and related courses.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 College Circle, Bangor, Maine 04401-2929
- Phone: 207.941.7000
- Website: https://www.husson.edu
3CLS by BARBRI
About the School
CLS by BARBRI provides continuing legal education.
It was formerly known as The Center for Legal Studies.
The curriculum is delivered to students in online, live lecture, and text-only formats.
The courses are designed for adult students and are taught at a college level.
To qualify for admission, applicants need a high school diploma or GED and they must be 18 years of age before enrollment.
Courses Offered
The following paralegal courses are available at the school:
- Paralegal Certificate Course
- Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course
- Advanced Legal Research and Writing
- Personal Injury for Paralegals
- eDiscovery for Paralegals
Costs vary depending on the course.
The Paralegal Certificate Course cost starts at $1,895.
This is a flagship introductory course and functions as a first step toward a paralegal career.
The most popular format can be completed in two, seven-week instructor-led sessions.
The school’s interactive platform offers 24/7 online course access with video and printed tutorials available.
Six sessions per year are available, starting every eight weeks.
Students have 14 weeks to complete the online program: seven weeks for Paralegal I and seven weeks for Paralegal II.
The school also provides the following Paralegal-related courses:
- Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course- this course starts at $3,300 or $550 per topic
- eDiscovery for Paralegal- a course starting at $995
- Personal Injury for Paralegals- starting at $995
- Advanced Legal Research and Writing- a course starting at $995
Contact Information
- Address: 12222 Merit Drive, Suite 1340, Dallas, TX 75251
- Phone: 800-522-7737
- Website: https://www.legalstudies.com
4Liberty University
About the School
Paralegal training programs available online are also provided by Liberty University, an accredited Christian college.
A variety of programs are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels and are taught from a Christian perspective.
The programs are available fully online and students can complete the coursework while keeping a job and remaining active in their community.
Students can transfer up to 75% of the degree total.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies program available at Liberty University provides students with the experience and practical skills that can be marketed while they pursue a Bachelor’s degree.
The program prepares students with a foundational knowledge of criminal law and procedures, writing depositions, and real estate transactions, and in-demand skills such as performing title searches.
The program includes 60 credit hours and can be completed in one and a half years, on average.
Contact Information
- Address: 1971 University Blvd., Lynchburg, Virginia 24515
- Phone: (888) 376-3157
- Website: https://www.liberty.edu
5Loyola University New Orleans
About the School
Loyola University New Orleans provides a Paralegal Certificate program that can be completed online in six months.
The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, and diplomas at approved degree levels.
Tuition for undergraduate online programs is $450 per credit hour.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal program provided by Loyola University New Orleans trains students in legal writing, terminology, research, contracts, trial preparation, investigation, discovery, and other relevant topics.
After completing the program, students receive a Loyola University New Orleans Certificate of Completion and 36 Continuing Education Units.
This program costs $5,695 plus course materials.
The online certificate program starts on the 15th of every month.
Paralegal students take courses such as:
- Essential Skills for Paralegals
- Tort Law
- Louisiana Procedures
- Contract Law
Up to $2,000 in scholarships is available for students who qualify.
Contact Information
- Address: 6363 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118
- Website: https://www.loyno.edu
6University of Maine School of Law
About the School
The University of Maine School of Law provides law-training programs at its location in Portland, Maine.
University of Maine School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.
Courses Offered
The school provides courses on a variety of law-related topics, including:
- Certificate in Business and Transactional Law
- Certificate in Information Privacy Law
- Certificate in Public Interest and Social Justice
- And more
Two accelerated dual degree options are available with Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine:
- Juris Doctor and Master of Public Health
- Juris Doctor and Master of Policy, Planning, and Management
Contact Information
- Address: 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101
- Phone: 207.780.4355
- Website: https://mainelaw.maine.edu
7Southern Maine Community College
About the School
Southern Maine Community College provides degree programs, classes, job training, and more.
The college has two campuses: South Portland and Midcoast Campus
Courses Offered
The college provides Legal Studies Courses available in partnership with CLS Barbri.
The program is available in flexible and comprehensive online legal education courses available in a convenient, online format.
Each course is provided six times per year.
Courses are seven or 14 weeks in duration.
The following Paralegal courses are provided:
- Paralegal Certificate Course
- Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course
- Advanced Legal Research and Writing
- Personal Injury for Paralegal
- eDiscovery for Paralegals
Contact Information
- Address: 2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine 04106
- Phone: 207-741-5500
- Website: https://www.smccme.edu
8Arizona State University
About the School
Another option for earning a paralegal degree or certificate is by attending online classes provided by a college or university in another state.
Arizona State University also provides online training programs that allow students to earn a degree on their schedule from anywhere in the world.
More than 300 online degrees and certificates are available at the university and are designed to prepare students for careers in a variety of fields.
Courses Offered
The following law, criminal justice, and public policy degrees are offered at Arizona State University:
- Tourism and Recreation Management
- Justice Studies
- Business- Law
- Political Science
- Sports Law and Business
- Social Work
- Legal Studies
- And more
The Master of Legal Studies provided at Arizona State University is an advanced degree program designed for students who are interested in understanding law, but not practicing it.
The program helps students build a foundation in United States law before they choose the electives that support their career goals.
Ten classes are available in total.
The program includes 30 credit hours in total.
As a paralegal student, you will take courses such as:
- U.S. Law and Legal Analysis
- Administrative Agencies and Regulations
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Fundamentals of Contract Law
- Intellectual Property
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Phone: 855.278.5080
- Website: https://asuonline.asu.edu
9South Florida International College
About the School
South Florida International College offers a series of online and hybrid-format programs designed to train competent professionals in different career paths.
Courses Offered
Among many other paths, the college provides an associate degree program in Paralegal Studies that is available in English and Spanish.
After completing this program, students have the required education and training to become a paralegal.
Among other skills, students learn how to draft basic legal documents such as complaints, responses, and contracts, interview clients, conduct independent research on legal issues, draft legal memoranda, and perform a variety of other tasks in a legal office.
The program is available in two formats: online and hybrid.
To qualify for admission into this program, applicants need:
- High school Diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Official transcripts
- Statement of student’s professional goals
- TOEFL scores for foreign students who are registering for programs taught in English.
Contact Information
- Address: 9000 NW 25th St, Doral, FL 33172
- Phone: 855 457 7738
- Website: https://sficollege.com
10Purdue University Global
About the School
Purdue University Global provides programs designed to help working adults earn a degree.
Purdue Global is an online university designed to provide educational programs that fit into the students’ busy life.
Courses Offered
Among many other program pathways, the university provides the following legal studies programs:
- Master of Science in Legal Studies
- Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services
- Legal Secretary Certificate
- Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- And more
The Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate can be completed in 11 months.
The certificate requires 36-37 credits.
The program costs $371 per credit.
Students learn from a faculty of legal practitioners with real-world expertise in legal services, law, and policy.
The curriculum covers topics such as:
- Introduction to the Law and Legal Profession
- Civil Litigation
- Legal Ethics
- Law Office Management
- Legal Research and Writing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2550 Northwestern Avenue, Suite 1100, West Lafayette, IN 47906
- Phone: 866-522-7747
- Website: https://www.purdueglobal.edu
Regional Salary in Maine
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 150 | $57,050 | $27.43 | $74,460 | $44,920 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 120 | $56,680 | $27.25 | $74,290 | $44,120 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 570 | $64,620 | $31.07 | $79,860 | $47,430 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to become ready for employment as a Paralegal, there are plenty of schools that provide specialized training programs.
Classes are available online and in person so students can complete the coursework while keeping a full-time job.
Now that you have read our selection of the best Paralegal schools that offer programs accessible to Maine residents, the next step is to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs.
