ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs
Bucks County Community College
Paralegal Studies Program
275 Swamp Road
Newtown, PA 18940
Director: Tracy A. Timby, M.S., J.D.
Telephone: (215) 968-8247
Fax: (215) 504-8509
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Associate in Arts
Minimum length of time to complete program: Certificate-1 yr, AA-2 yrs
Internships: Elective
For more information:
www.bucks.edu/catalog/2128.php
Description: Program of study available in day
and evening programs. Distance learning available for all non-paralegal
courses and selected paralegal courses to maximum credits allowed
under ABA approval. The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is for
students who have earned associate, bachelor's or master's degree.
Central Pennsylvania College
Paralegal Program
College Hill Road
Summerdale, PA 17093-0309
Director: John DeLeo, Esq.
Telephone: 717.728-2283
Fax: 717.732.5254
Type of Institution: Private, 2 yr, Proprietary
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Science Degree in Legal Studies;
Minimum length of time to complete program: 18 months
Internships: Mandatory
For more information:
www.centralpenn.edu
Description: Central Pennsylvania College has offered an ABA approved
paralegal program since 1980. This program gives students actual
experience in legal research, drafting legal documents, interviewing
clients and witnesses and preparing cases for trial. Senior paralegal
students participate in a mock trial where they have an opportunity
to prepare and try a case from opening statements through direct
and cross examination of witnesses and closing arguments. In addition,
the internship places students in quality paralegal positions
which often lead to full-time jobs after graduation.
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Paralegal Studies Program
1801 West First Street
Oil City, PA 16301
Director: Frank Shepard
Telephone: 814.676.6591
Associate Degree
Community College of Philadelphia
Paralegal Studies Program
1700 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130-3991
Director: Kathy Smith
Telephone: 215.751.8767
Fax: 215.972.6304
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science
Minimum length of time to complete program: 8 mos with prior degree,
2 yrs with no prior college
Internships: Elective
For more information: www.ccp.edu/site/academic/catalog/degrees/paralegal-studies_degree.php
Description: The Paralegal Studies Program at Community College
of Philadelphia not only provides students with the academic knowledge
they need to succeed in the workplace, but offers life-long career
assistance and is also a good choice for those considering law
school. A student club, on-going legal events, continuing education,
alumni association and frequent guest speakers add to the program's
vibrancy.
Delaware County Community College
Paralegal Studies Program
901 South Media Lane Road
Media, PA 19063-1094
Director: Linda J. Collier, Esq.
Telephone: 610.359.5230
Type of Institution: 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science, Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: AAS-2 yrs, Certificate-1 yr.
For more information: www.dccc.edu
Description: Day and night classes are offered. Associate or baccalaureate
degrees with 18 credits of General Education required for admission
to the certificate program. School offers distance learning and
online courses.
Duquesne University
The Paralegal Institute
600 Forbes Avenue
216 Rockwell Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15282-0102
Director: Pamela J. Bailey
Telephone: 412.396.1643
Fax: 412.396.5072
Type of Institution: Private, 4 yr
Degrees Offered: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: 9 months (evening
program); 3 mos (accelerated summer day program).
Internships: Elective
For more information:
www.leadership.duq.edu/paralegal
Description: Established in 1984
and ABA approved since 1989, the Paralegal Institute offeres a
10-course, university-based, non-credit program. (33 unit min.).
Concentrations are offered in civil litigation, estates, and corporate
law tracks, plus a general certificate. Five core courses plus
5 or 6 electives are required. Adjunct faculty is composed of
practicing attorneys and paralegals. The program offers Duquesne
Univ. Law Library and research instuctors, placement counseling
and workshops, an online job bank to students/grads, paralegal
association student membership, and CLE opportunities to the paralegal
community. Over 1300 graduates thus far.
Gannon University
Legal Studies Program
Box 3221 University Square
Erie, PA 16541
Director: Bernadette Agresti
Telephone: 814.871.5897
Fax: 814.871.7607
Degrees Offered: Associate, Baccalaureate Degrees, Certificate Program
For more information: www.gannon.edu/paralegal
Harrisburg Area Community College
Paralegal Studies Program
W 211E, One HACC Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Director: Kathleen Murren
Telephone: 717.780.2629
Fax: 717.236.0709
For more information: www.hacc.edu
Degrees Offered: Associate Degree, Certificate Program
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Paralegal Studies Program
4525 Education Park Drive
Schnecksville, PA 18078
Director: Diane Tallarita
Telephone: 610.799.1594
Fax: 610.799.1527
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science, Certificate (requires
college credit for admission), BS/BA in collaboration with Kutztown
University
For more information: www.lccc.edu
Description: LCCC has an exclusive arrangement with Kutztown University
that provides KU students in specific majors to participate in
the paralegal studies program offered through LCCC. The students
in History, Psychology, Public Administration, Political Science,
Sociology, and Criminal Justice must complete 21 credits of LCCC
Paralegal courses along with their major classes. This provides
the students with opportunities in various fields and also provides
a transfer program into these majors for LCCC paralegal graduates.
Transfer opportunities have also been provided for other institutions.
LCCC strives to maintain a high quality of education and be responsive
to the students and employers' needs. LCCC offers internships
at law firms and public institutions as well as career placement
services for graduates and alumni. Start here-Go anywhere.
Manor College
Department of Legal Studies
700 Fox Chase Road
Jenkintown, PA 19406
Director: Diane Pevar
Telephone: 215.885.2360
Fax: 215.576.6564
Type of Institution: Private, 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate in Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: AS-2 yrs, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate-34 wks, LNC-42 wks
Internships: Mandatory (for AS degree); Elective
For more information:
www.manor.edu/Academics/business/paralegal.html
Description: Since 1988, Manor College has served
the legal community and those in need of access to justice by
training highly qualified individuals to assist attorneys in the
practice of law. Our Paralegal Associate Degree, Paralegal Post-Baccalaureate
Certifcicate and the Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate programs
provide our graduates with the highest quality education and prepare
them for the realities of law practice through intensive, pratical,
hands-on experience. Our graduates are problem solvers, identifying
client needs and locating, through research and investigation,
suitable resources that can be applied, under attorney supervision,
to a satisfactory resolution.
Northampton Community College
Paralegal Program
3835 Green Pond Road
Bethlehem, PA 18020
Director: John Thomas
Telephone: 610.861.4546
Fax: 610.861.4127
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science
Minimum length of time to complete program: 4 semesters
Internships: Mandatory
For more information:
www.northampton.edu
Description: ABA-approved in 2003, NCC's program
offers a variety of legal specialty, computer and general education
courses. The legal specialty courses include a mandatory internship
actively supported by private law offices as well as governmental
and non-profit agencies. Many of the legal specialty courses are
taught by practicing attorneys from surrounding counties. Articulation
agreements with several four-year colleges allow for continuation
of a student's paralegal education at the baccalaureate level.
For those actively seeking employment, NCC paralegal students
and graduates have lifetime access to placement assistance from
the NCC Career Services Office.
Peirce College
Paralegal Studies Program
1420 Pine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Director: Edwin B. Miller
Telephone: 215.670.9291
Fax: 215.670.9255
Type of Institution: Private, 4 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science**, Post-baccalaureate Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program:
Internships: Elective
For more information: www.peirce.edu
Description: Founded in 1865, Peirce College is a private, four-year, specialized institution providing practical, leading-edge curricula to primarily working adult learners. The paralegal studies program has been going strong since 1987. Peirce offers associate, bachelor, and post-bachelor certificate options. Classes are offered for day and evening schedules. Online course format options are also offered pursuant to the ABA approval guidelines for distance education. A large factor in keeping the program strong and healthy has been identifying bottom line issues and building initiative plans that respond to the needs of the students and the legal community. **Peirce also offers its bachelor's degree program at Burlington County College in Mount Laurel, NJ.
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program
One College Avenue
Williamsport, PA 17701
Director: Kevin Derr
Telephone: 570.326-3761
Fax: 570.327.4529
Type of Institution: Public, 4 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science, Bachelor of Science, Post-Secondary Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: AAS Degree-2 yrs, Certificate-1 yr
Internships: Mandatory
For more information: www.pct.edu/schools/bct/legal_asst
Description: Penn College offers ABA-approved associate and baccalaureate
degrees in paralegal studies and a certificate in Nurse/Health
Care Paralegal. The curriculum provides students with a core of
essential paralegal courses along with a variety of courses in
specialized areas of law. This in-depth coverage provides the
background necessary for successful employment in this rapidly
growing field. All paralegal courses are taught by licensed attorneys.
Students complete a required internship in a law firm, government
agency, or law-related office. The college maintains an extensive
law library with computerized legal research services networked
and accessible online.
Villanova University
Paralegal Program
Office of Continuing Education
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085-1696
Director: Samuel A. DiLullo
Telephone: 610.519.4304
Fax: 610.519.6144
For more information: www.villanova.edu/vpaa/continuingstudies/programs/certificates/paralegal
Degrees Offered: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
