Trade Schools
If you live in Washington and you want to start a career in the paralegal profession, this page is for you.
Here we will compile information about the best schools in your region and the programs available.
Paralegals and legal assistants are usually responsible for a variety of tasks in a legal office, including:
- 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
Before being ready for employment as a paralegal you will need an associate’s degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor’s degree in a different field and a certificate in paralegal studies.
We invite you to take a closer look at the schools included in our selection and choose the program that best meets your needs and career prospects.
1Spokane Community College
About the School
Spokane Community College provides majors and programs that prepare students for in-demand careers based on their interests.
Spokane Community College is one of two accredited institutions of the Community Colleges of Spokane and one of the largest community colleges in the state.
The college is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The following paralegal programs are available at the college:
- Associate of Applied Science- Paralegal
- Certificate- Paralegal
The AAS program can be completed in six quarters
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Law
- Introduction to Legal Careers
- Legal Citations
- Legal Specialty Courses
- Legal Research and Writing
- Law Office Procedures and Technology
- Legal Ethics
- Instrument Drafting
- And more
The program is approved by the American Bar Association and prepares students for work under the direct supervision of an attorney.
Students learn how to conduct legal research, support trial work, prepare legal documents, perform interviews and investigative work, and many other skills.
Contact Information
- Address: 1810 N Greene Street, Spokane, WA 99217-5399
- Phone: 509-533-8400
- Website: https://scc.spokane.edu
2Edmonds College
About the School
Edmonds College prepares students for transfer to a four-year university or helps them earn a technical degree to enter the workforce.
The college is located on a 50-acre campus north of Seattle.
Edmonds College is a member of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
More than 30 areas of study are available at the college, including a Paralegal program.
According to the Edmonds College website, this is the oldest and largest American Bar Association-approved paralegal program in the Pacific Northwest.
The program prepares students to assist attorneys by investigating case facts, preparing legal documents, and researching the law.
Students take courses on:
- Introduction to Law and the Legal Process
- Civil Procedure
- Legal Research and Writing
- Legal Ethics
- Administrative Law
- Construction Law
- Real Estate and Property Law
- Health Law
- Litigation Practice and Procedure
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 20000 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood, WA 98036
- Phone: 425.640.1459
- Website: https://www.edmonds.edu
3Highline College
About the School
Highline College offers programs that may lead to a short-term certificate as well as associate degree programs.
Certificate programs are designed to help students earn a job in a specific field.
Programs are also available for students who want to earn a high school diploma while earning college credit.
The college also provides applied bachelor’s degrees.
Highline College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the Secretary of the United States Department of Education.
Courses Offered
Among many other pathways, the college provides a Legal Studies program with the following options:
- Associate in Applied Science option: Paralegal AAS
- Certificate option: Paralegal Plus Certificate
The certificate is designed to prepare students for jobs that require both a bachelor’s degree and a certificate.
Contact Information
- Address: 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198
- Phone: (206) 878-3710
- Website: https://www.highline.edu
4Tacoma Community College
About the School
Tacoma Community College provides students with a variety of degree and certificate options designed to help students launch a new career.
Programs designed for those who want to transfer to a four-year college or university are also available.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Program at Tacoma Community College is approved by the American Bar Association.
The program offers both degree and certificate options.
The following programs are available:
- Paralegal Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Paralegal Pro-Certificate
After completing the AAS degree, students will be able to:
- Recognize ethical issues that arise in a legal work environment
- Demonstrate oral and written skills paralegals use
- Apply basic principles of legal analysis
- Use technology for document preparation
- And more
Learners take classes on:
- Legal Document Production
- Legal Research & Writing
- Intro to Civil Law
- Civil Procedure
- Criminal Procedure for Paralegals
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 6501 South 19th Street, Tacoma, Washington 98466
- Phone: 253-566-5000
- Website: https://www.tacomacc.edu
5University of Washington
The University of Washington provides a Certificate in Paralegal Studies through its Professional and Continuing Education division.
Courses Offered
Students enrolled in this program learn a variety of skills and topics, including:
- Legal theory and reasoning
- Fundamentals of legal research, writing, and analysis, including terminology and resources, interviewing, and documenting facts
- All major aspects of litigation
- Essential topics in business law
- Professional and ethical responsibility in the legal field
The program includes courses such as:
- Business Law
- Litigation Specialties
- Introduction to Law & Legal Practice
- Professional Responsibility & Ethics
- Civil Procedure and Litigation
- Legal Research, Writing & Analysis
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 4311 11th Ave. NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98105-4608
- Phone: 800-506-1325
- Website: https://www.pce.uw.edu
6Whatcom Community College
Whatcom Community College offers training programs in a variety of areas of study.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Studies program available at the college offers an associate of applied science degree and a certificate in paralegal studies.
The certificate program is designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree.
The following options are available:
- Paralegal studies, associate of applied science- 90 credits
- Paralegal studies, certificate- 45 credits
Paralegal students take classes such as:
- Word processing
- Legal terminology
- Introduction to law and the legal process
- Contacts, consumer law, and access to justice
- Civil procedure and litigation
- Intro to legal research, writing, and analysis
- Law office technology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 237 W. Kellogg Road Bellingham, WA 98226
- Phone: 360.383.3000
- Website: https://www.whatcom.edu
7Umpqua Community College
Paralegal programs are also available in the neighboring state of Oregon.
One such program is the one offered by Umpqua Community College- a college that provides degrees, certificates, or short-term programs that can be completed in as few as six weeks or six months.
Courses Offered
The College provides an online paralegal degree.
This program covers legal concepts and helps students gain the communication skills necessary for successful employment in the legal community as a paralegal or legal assistant.
Classes are taught by attorneys and highly experienced paralegals.
Students gain up to 400 hours of on-the-job experience.
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Paralegal Studies- Associate in Applied Science Degree
- Legal Assistant- One-Year Certificate
The Legal Assistant Certificate includes classes such as:
- Business Mathematics
- Legal Procedures
- Records Management
- Business Communications
- Intro to Paralegal Studies
- Legal Procedures
- Civil Procedure
- Ethics for the Legal Profession
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1140 Umpqua College Rd. Roseburg, OR 97470
- Phone: 541-440-4600
- Website: https://umpqua.edu
8CLS 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 schools located in other states.
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
9San Francisco State University
About the School
A Paralegal Studies online certificate program is also available at San Francisco State University.
The paralegal program is provided by the university since 1975.
The program is approved by the American Bar Association and covers a rigorous curriculum, synchronous online courses, a professional network, and other features designed to prepare students for successful careers as paralegals.
Students enrolled in this program are prepared for a new career in just one year.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Studies program provides learners with hands-on training and experience with case management, e-discovery, and trial software, and gives them an insight into common paralegal tasks.
The program costs $8,990 and can be completed in as little as three semesters.
Students take five three-unit courses designed to help them develop skills on:
- Interviewing clients
- Performing legal research
- Gathering and analyzing legal documents
- Drafting internal memoranda, correspondence, and legal forms
- Drafting a variety of litigation-related documents
- Assisting lawyers in the preparation of cases for trial
- And performing many other related tasks in a law office
Contact Information
- Address: 160 Spear Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, California 94105
- Phone: (415) 405-7700
- Website: https://cpage.sfsu.edu
10UC Davis
UC Davis provides a variety of continuing and professional education programs.
Many award-winning online programs are available and designed to provide students with a flexible, engaging, learning experience.
Courses Offered
A Paralegal Studies Certificate program is included in the school’s catalog and can be completed in six months.
The program is available online.
This program costs $6,995.
Among other skills, students enrolled in this program learn how to:
- Conduct legal research and prepare documentation for trials
- Manage clients
- Litigation procedures and basic appellate processes
- Laws pertaining to personal injury
- The ability to analyze and draft contracts
- And more
Paralegal curriculum topics include:
- Paralegal Studies Essentials
- Contract Law for Paralegals
- Tort Law for Paralegals
- California Procedures for Paralegals
Contact Information
- Address: One Capitol Mall, 1 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814
- Phone: (530) 757-8777
- Website: https://cpe.ucdavis.edu
Regional Salary in Washington
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 190 | $60,550 | $29.11 | $76,860 | $46,640 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | 110 | $68,490 | $32.93 | $95,630 | $48,010 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 270 | $59,350 | $28.54 | $79,230 | $44,930 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 90 | $56,250 | $27.04 | $71,870 | $39,090 |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 470 | $60,110 | $28.9 | $77,170 | $46,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 5,170 | $83,210 | $40.01 | $124,000 | $50,290 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 650 | $60,280 | $28.98 | $80,360 | $46,250 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 40 | $56,810 | $27.31 | $75,200 | $44,370 |
| Wenatchee, WA | 70 | $60,160 | $28.92 | $79,420 | $40,670 |
| Yakima, WA | 160 | $59,180 | $28.45 | $77,840 | $44,400 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a career as a paralegal, there are plenty of programs that can prepare you for entry-level employment in this profession.
Many programs are available online, to allow students to learn at their own pace from the comfort of their homes.
Now that you have read our selection of the top paralegal training programs in Washington, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs.
