Trade Schools
As law firms are looking to cut costs for their clients, many of the tasks that were previously completed by entry-level attorneys are now assigned to paralegals.
This is one of the factors that will lead to an increased demand for workers in this profession in the future.
Before being ready for employment as a paralegal, you will need an associate’s degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor’s degree and a certificate in paralegal studies.
To help you choose the format that best meets your career aspirations and lifestyle, on this page, we will compile information about the best paralegal schools available for Rhode Island students and the programs offered.
Most programs focus on preparing you for tasks such as:
- Maintaining and organizing files
- Conducting legal research
- Drafting documents
- Investigating and gathering facts of a case
- Getting affidavits and other formal statements that can be used as evidence in court
- Helping lawyers during trials
- And more
1Community College of Rhode Island
Community College of Rhode Island offers more than 90 degree and certificate programs that help students start their journey to a four-year university or a career.
The college has more than 70 transfer agreements with four-year universities, including URI, RIC, Johnson and Wales, PC, Bryant, Emerson, and more.
Courses Offered
Community College of Rhode Island provides a Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies- Associate in Science program.
This program is currently suspended and not accepting new students.
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- Criminal Procedure
- Law and Evidence
- The Law of Property, Estates, and Trusts
- Constitutional Law
- Law of Business Organization
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 400 East Ave. Warwick, RI 02886-1807
- Phone: 401-825-2003
- Website: https://www.ccri.edu
2Roger Williams University
About the School
Roger Williams University offers a variety of undergraduate, master’s, and certificate programs available on campus and online.
The university has two campuses: one in Bristol and one in Providence.
The student-to-faculty ratio is 15 to 1.
Roger Williams University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The university provides a Professional Legal Studies program that is approved by the American Bar Association.
The program is available in person, online, and in a hybrid format.
The following degree options are available:
- Bachelor of Science in Professional Legal Studies- a 121-credit hour program
- Associate of Science in Professional Legal Studies- a 61-credit program
The following certificate options are also available:
- Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Healthcare Paralegal- a 30-credit program
- Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies- a 31-credit program
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Empire Street, Providence RI 02903
- Phone: 800-458-7144
- Website: https://www.rwu.edu
3North Shore Community College
About the School
North Shore Community College is a public, non-profit, two-year institution of higher education located in the neighboring state of Massachusetts.
Its campuses, curriculum, and resources provide academic and professional achievement without leading to unnecessary student debt.
The college offers online, hybrid, and videoconference courses that provide students with the flexibility that fits their busy lives.
North Shore Community College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The college provides the following paralegal-related courses:
- Introduction to Law and Paralegal Practice- a course available face-to-face and online
- Legal Research- a course offered face-to-face
- Basic Criminal Law and Procedure- a course offered in a hybrid format
- Legal Writing- a videoconference and accelerated course
- Real Estate Law- an online course
- Estates and Trusts- a course provided face-to-face
- Litigation- a face-to-face course
- Business Organizations- a course available in a videoconference accelerated format
Each of the above courses awards three credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA 01923
- Phone: 978-762-4000
- Website: https://www.northshore.edu
4Middlesex Community College
About the School
Another paralegal program available in the neighboring state of Massachusetts is the one provided by Middlesex Community College.
The college’s catalog features honors programs, certificates, and degrees, as well as academic support.
Middlesex Community College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Courses Offered
Among many other pathways, the college provides the following paralegal programs:
- Paralegal Studies Career
- Paralegal Studies Transfer
- Paralegal Studies Certificate
The Paralegal Studies Certificate includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Contract Law
- Family Law
- Real Estate Law
- Wills, Trusts, and Estates
- Litigation
- And more
The Certificate requires 27 credits in total.
The program prepares students for employment in the paralegal profession.
They will learn the skills needed when assisting lawyers in gathering and analyzing factual data, researching legal questions, and preparing legal documents.
The certificate program focuses on legal courses and is appropriate for students who have already earned an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree and are interested in changing careers.
The program has been approved by the American Bar Association.
Contact Information
- Address: 591 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730 | 33 Kearney Square, Lowell, MA 01852
- Phone: 800-818-3434
- Website: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu
5Bunker Hill Community College
About the School
Bunker Hill Community College offers more than 100 degrees and certificates at its Boston campus and online.
The college is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The college provides a variety of Law and Public Service and Safety pathways, including:
- Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies
- CT Paralegal
- And more
Paralegal students learn how to assist lawyers in gathering and analyzing factual data, drafting correspondence, researching legal questions, and preparing legal documents.
To qualify for admission into the Certificate program, students must meet the following admission requirements:
- Have proof of a completed Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree
- Submission of a Letter of Interest
- Submission of a Professional Resume
- Provide three Letters of Reference
Students take classes such as:
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Legal Ethics
- Business Organizations
- And more
Electives such as Family Law, Real Estate Law, Criminal Law, Estates and Trusts, Paralegal Internship, and more are also available.
Contact Information
- Address: 250 New Rutherford Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02129-2995
- Phone: 617-228-2000
- Website: https://www.bhcc.edu
6ELMS College
About the School
ELMS College provides an online Paralegal Course that is available fully online and prepares students for the Certified Paralegal exam.
The exam is offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants.
Students learn how to perform legal research, interviews, analysis, and other tasks that paralegals face every day.
ELMS College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Tuition (post-bac) per credit is $720 for the 2022-2023 year.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal curriculum includes courses such as:
- Paralegal in the Legal System
- Paralegal Employment
- Attorney and Paralegal Ethics
- Legal Interviewing
- Litigation Management
- Legal Research 101
- Legal Writing
- Introduction to Law Office Administration
- And more
This course allows students to start anytime.
Contact Information
- Address: 291 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA 01013-2839
- Phone: 413-594-2761
- Website: https://www.elms.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 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 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.
Contact Information
- Address: 12222 Merit Drive, Suite 1340, Dallas, TX 75251
- Phone: 800-522-7737
- Website: https://www.legalstudies.com
8Duquesne University
About the School
Located in Pennsylvania, Duquesne University offers more than 80 undergraduate majors that lead to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Undergraduate majors and graduate programs are available at the university’s nine schools of study.
Among many other academic paths, the university provides a Paralegal program.
This program can be completed by students all over the country and the world.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Institute at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University offers a certificate in Paralegal Studies that prepares students to start or advance their careers in the legal field.
The Paralegal Studies Certificate program is available in a fully online format.
This program can be completed in 1.5 years by part-time students and in 11 weeks by full-time students.
Students need 33 credit hours.
Paralegal program graduates are equipped with skills such as:
- Understanding the fundamentals of the legal system, its processes, and alternatives
- Being capable of considering complex and varying legal issues
- Analytical and judgment abilities
- Legal writing skills
- Management and organizational skills
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282
- Phone: (412) 396-6000
- Website: https://www.duq.edu
9Naugatuck Valley Community College
About the School
Located in Connecticut, Naugatuck Valley Community College offers day, evening, weekend, and online classes.
More than 100 degrees, certificates, and workforce training programs are included in the college’s catalog.
The college provides an outstanding faculty and state-of-the-art facilities.
The following areas of study are available:
- Associate degrees that enable students to transfer to four-year universities
- Associate degrees and certificates designed to jump-start students’ careers
- Work-force education
Naugatuck Valley Community College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Courses Offered
A Legal Assistant/Paralegal program is available at the college and leads to a certificate or associate degree.
The degree requirements include:
- Business Law
- Introduction to Paralegalism
- Real Estate Practice
- Legal Research and Writing
- Litigation
- Probate Practice and Estate Administration
- And more
Students need between 61-62 credits for an associate’s degree.
The Certificate requires 24 credit hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708
- Phone: 203.575.8000
- Website: https://nv.edu
10Charter Oak State College
About the School
Charter Oak State College provides career-focused online degrees and certificates that prepare students for careers in a wide range of academic fields.
The college is located in the neighboring state of Connecticut.
Financial Aid and scholarships are available to help keep the cost of college affordable.
Tuition is $329 per credit for the 2023-2024 year.
The student services fee is $230.
The technology fee is $75.
Charter Oak State College is accredited by the Connecticut Board of Governors for Educators and the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Studies concentration available at Charter Oak State College was developed with the Connecticut Bar Association and input from practitioners, lawyers, and educators.
The program is approved by the CBA for continuing legal education credits.
The concentration focuses on different kinds of law, legal ethics, effective verbal, and written legal communication, how to use technology, the state’s court structure, and more.
The following courses are available at the school:
- Business Law
- Introduction to Management
- Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibilities
- Legal Research & Writing
- Technology in Law
- Civil Procedures
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 55 Paul Manafort Dr, New Britain, CT 06053
- Phone: (860) 515-3800
- Website: https://www.charteroak.edu
Regional Salary in Rhode Island
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 1,560 | $69,490 | $33.41 | $94,450 | $49,740 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to prepare for a career in the paralegal field, you can do this at a college in your home state or by taking classes online at a college or university located in another state.
Now that you have read our selection of ten of the best paralegal training programs available for Rhode Island students, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs.
