Trade Schools
As more law firms are looking to cut costs for their clients, paralegals are expected to be in demand in the future.
They now perform a variety of tasks that were previously assigned to entry-level lawyers.
As a paralegal, you need to know how to:
- Draft legal documents
- Investigate facts relevant to a case
- Organize and maintain documents on paper and in electronic formats
- Help lawyers during trials
- File exhibits, briefs, and other documents
- And more
Before being ready to apply for entry-level employment in the paralegal field, the first step is to complete a post-secondary training program at a trade school or community college.
Paralegals typically need an associate degree in Paralegal Studies or a bachelor’s degree in a different field followed by a certificate in Paralegal Studies.
New Mexico residents have access to a variety of training programs, available both on-campus and online.
To help you choose the one that best meets your learning style and career aspirations, on this page, we have compiled information about the top paralegal training programs in New Mexico.
1Central New Mexico Community College
About the School
Central New Mexico Community College is the largest higher education institution in New Mexico in terms of undergraduate enrollment.
The college provides career-technical programs in business, health, technologies, and trades.
Tuition is $66 per credit hour for New Mexico residents for programs that include between 1-11 credit hours.
Courses Offered
The college provides a pre-law curriculum that prepares students for transfer to a four-year degree program in a law-related field.
Students earn an Associate of Arts and can pursue work as Mediators, Adjudicators, and more.
A Paralegal Studies program is also available at the college.
This program covers skills such as interviewing and assisting clients and witnesses, drafting legal documents, litigation support, and case management.
Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and pursue work as a Paralegal, Legal Assistant, Compliance Officer, and more.
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- American Law and Ethics
- Torts
- Legal Research and Writing
- Civil Litigation
- Paralegal Computer Applications
- And more
Students need at least 63 credit hours to complete this degree.
Contact Information
- Address: 900 University Blvd. SE
- Phone: (505) 224-3000
- Website: https://www.cnm.edu
2Clovis Community College
About the School
Clovis Community College serves more than 14,000 students in the Central Valley and is part of the State Center Community College District.
The college provides more than 600 classes, 35 Associate Degree Programs, 35 Certificate of Achievement Programs, and 25 Associate degrees for Transfer Programs.
Counseling services, athletics, campus clubs, organizations, student activities, and more are also available.
Courses Offered
Among many other career paths, Clovis Community College offers a Criminology pathway.
This program provides classes such as:
- Introduction to Criminology
- Legal Aspects of Evidence
- Principles and Procedures of the Justice System
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Justice
- The Constitution and Your Individual Rights
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 10309 N. Willow, Fresno, CA 93730
- Phone: (559) 325-5200
- Website: https://www.cloviscollege.edu
3Santa Fe Community College
About the School
Santa Fe Community College offers affordable, high-quality educational programs and serves more than 13,000 students per year.
Credit, noncredit, and adult programs are available at the college.
Courses Offered
The college provides a Paralegal Studies program that teaches students about legal research and writing, how to compose pleadings and process civil and criminal cases.
Students also gain skills in interviewing clients and witnesses, gathering discovery, and performing case investigations.
The program trains learners in legal office operations and provides legal assistant certificates.
An internship course is also available to give students the opportunity to experience working in a local law office for a semester.
The following degree and certificates are available:
- Paralegal Studies, A.A.S.
- Paralegal Studies Certificate
- Law Office Administrative Assistant Certificate
- Legal Secretary Certificate
Students take classes such as:
- Introduction to American Law for Paralegals
- Introduction to the Paralegal Profession
- Contract Law
- Tort Law
- Evidence Law: Investigating and Interviewing
- Constitutional Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508
- Phone: 505-428-1000
- Website: https://www.sfcc.edu
4The University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico was founded in 1889 as New Mexico’s flagship institution.
The university now occupies nearly 800 acres in the heart of Albuquerque.
Courses Offered
A Paralegal Certificate program is available in a hybrid format and can lead to a Certificate in eight weeks.
The program prepares students for entry- and mid-level positions in the legal field.
The Paralegal Certificate curriculum includes 96 hours of instruction.
The course covers a broad overview of the legal system, legal research, and other paralegal skills.
The curriculum also covers civil procedure and litigation, criminal procedure, evidence, interviewing, discovery, ethics, and legal research and writing.
The fee for this non-credit course is $2,995.
Students learn how to:
- Prepare trial notebooks
- Conduct legal research using LexisNexis
- Draft legal documents
- Become familiar with the various areas of practice within the law
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1634 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- Phone: (505) 277-0077
- Website: https://www.unm.edu
5Dona Ana Community College
Dona Ana Community College offers online and in-person classes that lead to more than 100 associate degrees and industry certificates.
The student-to-faculty ratio is 18 to 1.
The college has locations throughout Dona Ana County.
Courses Offered
Among many other career paths, the college provides a Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement pathway.
Students have the following options:
- Law Enforcement Option- a program that teaches the foundations of police work for possible employment opportunities with local, state, and federal governments as well as private industries
- Corrections Option- students prepare for work opportunities in confinement facilities, institutional security, correction agencies, and other similar settings
- Criminal Justice Program- this program introduces students to three facets of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections
Students take courses such as:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Courts and Procedure
- The American Law Enforcement System
- Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd, Las Cruces, NM 88011
- Phone: 575-527-7500
- Website: https://dacc.nmsu.edu
6Colorado Mountain College
About the School
Paralegal schools are also available in the neighboring state of Colorado and can be completed online.
Colorado Mountain College provides a Paralegal Degree program that prepares students with the skills needed to perform a variety of tasks in a legal office.
Students learn how to complete basic research, draft legal documents, conduct client and witness interviews, and many other skills.
After completing the associate program, students have the option to continue their education at Colorado Mountain College and earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Leadership and Management or transfer to Colorado Mesa University and earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Administration/Public Safety.
Colorado Mountain College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The online Associate in Applied Science curriculum includes the following program requirements:
- Introduction to Law
- Torts
- Family Law
- Contracts
- Property Law
- Legal Ethics
- Civil Litigation
- Business Organization Law
- Legal Research & Writing
- And more
Learners start by understanding different areas of the law, definitions, contracts, and research principles.
The program also emphasizes communication skills, an important asset in a paralegal’s career.
Students have to earn between 63-64 credits for this degree and are required to complete between 945-975 contact hours.
To obtain a Certificate, students must earn 36 credit hours and complete 540 contact hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 802 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
- Phone: 970-945-8691
- Website: https://coloradomtn.edu
7CLS by BARBRI
About the School
Paralegal training programs that can be completed at your own pace, from the comfort of your home are also available online at CLS by BARBRI.
Formerly known as The Center for Legal Studies, CLS by BARBRI provides continuing legal education.
The curriculum is delivered to students in online, live lecture, and text-only formats.
Courses Offered
The following paralegal-related 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 costs $1,895.
This is a flagship introductory course and functions as a first step toward a paralegal career.
The most popular format available 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.
Contact Information
- Address: 12222 Merit Drive, Suite 1340, Dallas, TX 75251
- Phone: 800-522-7737
- Website: https://www.legalstudies.com
8Pikes Peak State College
About the School
Another program available in the neighboring state of Colorado and online is the one provided by Pikes Peak State College.
Pikes Peak State College provides programs designed to teach students skills and help them earn a degree or certificate.
Three campuses and additional learning centers are located throughout Colorado Springs.
Courses are also available online.
Day and evening classes are provided to adjust to any student’s lifestyle.
More than 150 degrees and certificate programs are included in the college’s catalog.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Program prepares students with the skills to support licensed professionals when preparing for trial.
Among many other skills, students learn how to draft documents and conduct legal research.
The program covers skills such as:
- Developing an understanding of the various types of law
- Conducting legal research
- Drafting initial legal documents and pleadings
- Assisting in preparing trial notebooks
The curriculum also includes courses on:
- Introduction to Law
- Family Law
- Legal Ethics
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5675 S. Academy Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80906
- Phone: 719-502-2000
- Website: https://www.pikespeak.edu
9South Florida International College
Another online Paralegal program is offered in Florida, by the South Florida International College.
South Florida International College offers a series of programs that prepare competent professionals for different career paths.
Courses Offered
Among many other paths, the college provides an associate degree program in Paralegal Studies.
This program 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.
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
10University of Arizona
The University of Arizona helps students prepare with the skills they need to achieve their career goals.
The university provides programs on campus and online.
Courses Offered
The following professional development courses are available at the University of Arizona:
- Advanced Paralegal Certificate
- Business Analytics Certificate
- Data Analytics Boot Camp
- Employment Law
- Grant Writing Certificate
- Legal Secretary Training Course
- Paralegal Certificate
- And more
The Paralegal Certificate program is a non-credit professional development certificate designed to prepare students to start Paralegal careers.
Students must be at least 18 years of age and need a high school diploma to qualify for admission into the program.
The course is available in three different formats:
- Online- students complete two seven-week online classes
- Live lecture- this format is similar to the online format but can be completed in eight weeks
- Self-study- students enrolled in this format can register and start at any time and have six months to complete the program
This program costs $1,895 plus books and materials.
The Advanced Paralegal Certificate program provides students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of law and paralegal studies by taking classes in specialized subjects of contemporary law.
Contact Information
- Address: Tucson, AZ 85721
- Phone: (520) 626-5091
- Website: https://ce.arizona.edu
Regional Salary in New Mexico
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 1,090 | $56,760 | $27.29 | $73,630 | $41,600 |
| Farmington, NM | 40 | $63,320 | $30.44 | $95,850 | $47,230 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 140 | $52,910 | $25.44 | $74,670 | $31,390 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 220 | $59,640 | $28.68 | $76,650 | $48,280 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a non-lawyer career in the legal field, the paralegal profession can be a great choice.
Now that you have read our list of some of the top paralegal schools that provide programs available for New Mexico residents, the next step is to continue the research, decide if this career is a right fit for you, and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
