The body of knowledge required to effectively perform legal support services can only come from a formal education in paralegal studies. As attorneys, corporations and government agencies work within an increasingly complex legal framework, the level of responsibility they expect paralegals to be able to take on has also increased. Law offices and other employers in Colorado have come to rely on paralegals with the kind of expertise that can only come from earning a certificate or degree in paralegal studies.
Maybe you’re fresh out of high school and have been dreaming of the day you land a job with one of the big law firms with offices in a downtown Denver skyscraper … Maybe you’ve got several years under your belt in an entry level paralegal position and want to start impressing the partners so you can catch your next big break and get promoted … Maybe you’ve been working in a completely different profession where you’re getting burnt out and you’re ready to transition to your real career as a paralegal.
No matter where you are in your career and no matter what your reason is for starting to look at your education options, deciding on which school to attend isn’t something that always comes easy.
To simplify things, we’ve created a list of our top picks for online options and schools with campus locations in Colorado. The programs we selected were chosen based on specific quality measures. Our entire selection of schools only includes those that are regionally or nationally accredited.
Arapahoe Community College
Arapahoe Community College is in Littleton, with additional campuses in Parker and Castle Rock.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Paralegal – On-campus
Paralegal Certificate – On-campus (post-associate)
Colorado Mountain College
Colorado Mountain College (CMC) is a 4-year school in Glenwood Springs. Additional campus locations include Aspen, Breckenridge, Dillon, Carbondale, Buena Vista, Glenwood Springs, Rifle, Vail Valley at Edwards, Leadville, and Steamboat Springs.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal – Online
Paralegal Certificate – Online (post-associate)
Community College of Aurora
Community College of Aurora (CCA) is a 2-year community college located in Aurora.
Associate of General Studies Degree (AGS) – Paralegal – On-campus
Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) – Paralegal – On-campus
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Management with Paralegal Emphasis – On-campus
Paralegal Certificate – On-campus (post-associate)
Community College of Denver
Community College of Denver (CCD) is a 2-year community college located in Denver, with additional campuses throughout the Denver area. CCD is regionally accredited and also a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal – On-campus
General Paralegal Certificate – On-campus (undergraduate, pre-degree)
Emily Griffith Technical College
Emily Griffith Technical College is a less-than-2-year public institution with its campus located in Denver.
Legal Office Certificate – On-campus
Front Range Community College
Front Range Community College is a 2-year public institution located in Westminster. There are additional campuses in Brighton, Fort Collins, and Longmont.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal/Legal Assistant – On-campus and online
Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate – On-campus and online (undergraduate, pre-degree)
Institute of Business & Medical Careers
The Institute of Business and Medical Careers College (IBMC) is a 2-year private institution with campuses in Fort Collins, Longmont, and Greeley.
Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) – Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Pikes Peak Community College
Pikes Peak Community College is a 4-year public institution with a campus based in Colorado Springs.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies – campus
Legal Technician Certificate of Achievement – campus
United States Air Force Academy
The United State Air Force Academy is a 4-year public institution with its campus located in Colorado Springs.
Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies – campus