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, DC have come to rely on paralegals with the kind of expertise that can only come from earning a certificate or degree in paralegal studies.
No matter where you might be in your career – whether you’re in the early planning stages or you’re looking to move forward in your current position – choosing the right program is a big decision. Nowhere is this truer than in Washington, DC where entry level paralegal jobs and promotions with top law firms are extremely competitive, and employer expectations very high. Washington isn’t a place where you can get by with anything less than a recognized credential from a respected school.
With there being so many degree and certificate programs available to you, we know that deciding on a program to fit your needs can be a bit overwhelming. To make the process a little easier, we’ve done the research and selected what we think are the best online options. We choose programs based entirely on the quality of the education they offer, and all are regionally or nationally accredited.
University of the District of Columbia
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is a 4-year public school located in Washington.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Legal Assistant – On-campus
- Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education
The paralegal program at the University of the District of Columbia is a 62-credit degree program that covers core topics like principles of the American legal system, civil case procedure, and business law. Classes are generally taken over four semesters, with full-time students being able to complete the program in about two years.
General education courses can be taken online, but the core paralegal courses are only offered on-campus. Campus-based courses are conveniently offered in the mornings, late afternoon, and evenings.
What’s really unique about UDC is that in addition to being regionally accredited, it has also been recognized as the best community college in the region for cost, student-to-teacher ratio, and graduation rate.