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 Washington state have come to rely on paralegals with the kind of expertise that can only come from earning a certificate or degree in paralegal studies.
Whether you see yourself working alongside attorneys in a big firm in one of Seattle’s downtown high-rises or supporting in-house counsel in the corporate legal department of a local tech giant, you’ll find no shortage of opportunities here in Washington.
Washington is not only home to a vast array of professional opportunities in the legal field, but it is also the location of several well respected paralegal programs. Are you a high school graduate, a career changer, or a practicing paralegal looking to advance or specialize? Whatever the case, there’s a program for that. The trickiest part can be finding one you can afford and that aligns perfectly with your professional goals and personal needs.
We’ve done the grunt work so you don’t have to. Here you’ll find only the schools available online or at campus locations in Washington that have achieved regional or national accreditation. You can be sure that all the schools we recommend offer programs that have met the highest quality standards.
To get the details you need to better narrow down your options, request information to find out about annual tuition rates and unique features of each program.
Edmonds Community College
Paralegal Associate of Technical Arts Degree – campus
Advanced Paralegal Certificate (post-bac or concurrent with a bachelor’s degree) – campus
Medical Paralegal Certificate (earning this requires at least an associate’s degree plus a nursing degree or nursing diploma) – campus
Green River College
Associate of Applied Arts in Legal Administrative Assisting – Campus
Highline College:
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies – campus
Paralegal Plus Certificate (post-bac or concurrent with a bachelor’s degree) – campus
Lower Columbia College
AA in Pre-Law – Campus
Olympic College
AA in Pre-Law – Campus
Peninsula College
AAS in Administrative Office Systems-Legal Option – Online
Legal Assistant I-Short Term Certificate – Online
Legal Assistant II-Short Term Certificate – Online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Renton Technical College
AAS -Paralegal Studies – online/hybrid
Certificate-Paralegal Studies – online/hybrid
South Puget Sound Community College
AAS -Paralegal – campus
Spokane Community College
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies – campus
Paralegal Certificate (admission requires any BA/BS degree, a Legal Secretary AA/AAS degree, or a Legal Administration Assistant AAS) – campus
Tacoma Community College
Paralegal Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Campus, hybrid
Paralegal Pro-Certificate (post-associate) – Campus, hybrid
University of Washington (Seattle, Tacoma campuses)
Certificate in Paralegal Studies (post-baccalaureate) – campus
Whatcom Community College
AS – Paralegal Studies – hybrid
Certificate – Paralegal Studies – hybrid
Yakima Valley College
AAS in Business Technology-Bilingual Legal Office Assistant – Campus, hybrid
AAS in Business Technology-Legal Office Assistant – Campus, hybrid
Certificate in Business Technology-Legal Receptionist – Campus, hybrid