Trade Schools
With an estimated job growth of 14 percent, paralegals will continue to be needed in law offices to perform a variety of tasks, including:
- Drafting legal documents
- Investigating facts relevant to a case
- Organizing and maintaining documents on paper and in electronic formats
- Helping lawyers during trials
- File exhibits, briefs, and other documents
- And more
Although Hawaii has no credential requirements for paralegals, in order to improve your employment prospects, before being ready to apply for entry-level employment in the paralegal field, the first step is to complete a post-secondary training program at a trade school or community college.
Paralegals typically need an associate degree in Paralegal Studies or a bachelor’s degree in a different field followed by a certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Hawaii residents have access to a variety of training programs, available both on-campus and online.
To help you choose the one that best meets your learning style and career aspirations, on this page, we have compiled information about the top paralegal training programs in Hawaii.
1University of Hawai'i at Manoa
About the School
University of Hawai’i at Manoa- Kapiolani Community College provides a Paralegal Program that can lead to a Paralegal Associate in Science or a Legal Secretary Certificate program.
The following programs are available at the college:
- Associate in Science, Paralegal degree- 60 credits
- Legal Secretary Certificate- 18 credits
- An evening program that prepares students to perform duties as a paralegal or legal secretary is also provided by the college
Courses Offered
The Paralegal program certificate program provides the foundation for students to think critically and act ethically in the workplace and in the community.
The Legal Secretary training emphasizes legal office theory and procedure, legal terminology, legal communications, legal documents, and many other related topics.
Students develop ethical skills, communication, interpersonal skills, professionalism, technology, and information literacy.
Contact Information
- Address: 2500 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI 96822
- Phone: (808) 956-8111
- Website: https://manoa.hawaii.edu
2CLS by BARBRI
About the School
Formerly known as The Center for Legal Studies, CLS by BARBRI provides continuing legal education.
The curriculum is delivered to students in different formats, including online, live lecture, and text-only.
The courses are designed for adult students and are taught at a college level.
Applicants need a high school diploma or GED and they must be 18 years of age before enrollment.
Courses Offered
The following paralegal 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.
Six sessions per year are available, starting every eight weeks.
Students have 14 weeks to complete the online program: seven weeks for Paralegal I and seven weeks for Paralegal II.
Contact Information
- Address: 12222 Merit Drive, Suite 1340, Dallas, TX 75251
- Phone: 800-522-7737
- Website: https://www.legalstudies.com
3Ed2Go
About the School
Ed2Go provides a Certified Paralegal program.
The program is available through the college’s Office of Extended Learning and Workforce Development.
Courses Offered
The online Certified Paralegal program trains students for careers as paralegals.
Students learn how to fulfill the standard duties associated with this role.
After completing the program, students are ready to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam.
This 225-hour course costs $2,495.
This program can be completed in 12 months.
The Paralegal curriculum includes courses such as:
- Paralegals in the Legal System
- Paralegal Employment
- Regulations of Paralegals
- Introduction to the Legal System
- Legal Interviewing
- Investigation in the Law Office
- Advanced Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 310 W. Kaahumanu Avenue, Kahului, HI 96732 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.ed2go.com
4Rasmussen University
About the School
Rasmussen University provides more than 50 programs with multiple start dates a year.
The university offers educational programs for more than 120 years.
Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Classes are available at 22 locations and online.
Courses Offered
The following justice studies programs are available at the university:
- Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement
- Paralegal
The Paralegal program prepares students for careers as an integral part of the legal system.
The online paralegal program teaches students about the legal system and the importance of legal ethics.
Paralegal students learn from practicing judges, attorneys, and paralegals.
The program leads to a Paralegal Associate’s degree in as few as 18 months.
Those who already have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree can graduate with a Paralegal Certificate online in as few as eight months.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Law and the Legal System
- Introduction to Legal Research
- Paralegal Capstone
- Legal Ethics
- Law Office Management
- Family Law
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 385 Douglas Ave Suite #1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
- Phone: 407-635-8200
- Website: https://info.rasmussen.edu
5Arizona State University
About the School
Arizona State University helps students who want to earn a degree on their schedule from anywhere in the world.
More than 300 online degrees and certificates are available at the university.
The programs are designed to prepare students for careers in a variety of fields.
Courses Offered
The following law, criminal justice, and public policy degrees are included in the university’s catalog:
- Tourism and Recreation Management
- Justice Studies
- Business- Law
- Political Science
- Sports Law and Business
- Social Work
- Legal Studies
- And more
The Master of Legal Studies provided at Arizona State University is an advanced degree designed for students who are interested in understanding law, but not practicing it.
The program helps students build a foundation in U.S. law before they choose the electives that support their career goals.
Ten classes are available in total.
The program includes 30 credit hours in total.
Students enrolled in this program take courses on a variety of law-related topics, including:
- U.S. Law and Legal Analysis
- Administrative Agencies and Regulations
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Fundamentals of Contract Law
- Intellectual Property
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Phone: 855.278.5080
- Website: https://asuonline.asu.edu
6South Florida International College
About the School
Hawaii students may also earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies by pursuing an online program provided by the South Florida International College.
South Florida International College offers a series of programs designed to train competent professionals in different career paths.
Courses Offered
Among many other paths, the college’s catalog includes an associate degree program in Paralegal Studies.
Classes are available in English and Spanish.
After completing this program, students have the required education and training to become paralegals in a variety of law-related settings.
Among other skills, students learn how to draft basic legal documents such as complaints, responses, and contracts, interview clients, conduct independent research on legal issues, draft legal memoranda, and perform a variety of other tasks in a legal office.
The program is available in two formats: online and hybrid.
Applicants need:
- High school Diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Official transcripts
- Statement of student’s professional goals
- TOEFL scores for foreign students who are registering for programs taught in English
Contact Information
- Address: 9000 NW 25th St, Doral, FL 33172
- Phone: 855 457 7738
- Website: https://sficollege.com
7Campus- formerly known as MTI College
About the School
A community-based institution located in Sacramento, California, Campus offers respected vocational training that prepares students for employment in a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, law, information technology, business, cosmetology, and barbering.
The school was formerly known as MTI College.
Campus is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Courses Offered
An Online Paralegal Degree Program is available.
This program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to start a successful paralegal career.
The program is approved by the American Bar Association.
Graduates are ready for employment as paralegals for both the private and public sectors, performing substantive and procedural behind-the-scenes legal work for legal departments and law firms.
Those who have previously completed an associate or baccalaureate degree or have completed 54 approved quarter units in general education from an accredited institution begin their Online Paralegal Degree Program in year two.
The college also provides a Legal Administrative Assistant program available online.
This program leads to a diploma and prepares students to work in a wide range of law practices, from civil to criminal law.
Contact Information
- Address: 5221 Madison Avenue Sacramento, CA 95841
- Phone: (916) 339-1500
- Website: https://mticollege.edu
8San Francisco State University
About the School
San Francisco State University provides a Paralegal Studies online certificate program.
The paralegal program is available at 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 can begin their careers in just one year.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Studies program at San Francisco State University provides learners with hands-on training and experience with case management, e-discovery, and trial software, and 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
9Liberty University
About the School
Liberty University is an accredited Christian college with a 7,000-acre campus located in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Many programs are also available in an online format and allow students to take classes at their own pace, from the comfort of their homes.
A variety of courses are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels and are taught from a Christian perspective.
Many programs are available fully online and allow students to complete the coursework while keeping a job and remaining active in their community.
Students can transfer up to 75% of the degree total.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies program available at Liberty University provides students with the experience and practical skills that can be marketed while they pursue a Bachelor’s degree.
The program prepares students with a foundational knowledge of criminal law and procedures, writing depositions, and real estate transactions, and in-demand skills such as performing title searches.
The program includes 60 credit hours and can be completed in one and a half years, on average.
Contact Information
- Address: 1971 University Blvd., Lynchburg, Virginia 24515
- Phone: (888) 376-3157
- Website: https://www.liberty.edu
10University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech
About the School
The University of Arkansas- Pulaski Tech provides training programs for students who are beginning college, for those transferring to a four-year program, and for students who want to go straight to the workforce after graduation.
The university provides 80 accredited programs with classes available in the daytime, evening, and online formats.
Courses Offered
A Paralegal Technology program is available at the university and is designed to provide an understanding of the law and the practical skills needed when assisting attorneys in completing a variety of responsibilities in a law firm, including research, investigation, document preparation, and writing.
The following programs of study are available at Pulaski Tech:
- Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Technology
- Technical Certificate in Paralegal Technology
- Certificate of Proficiency in Paralegal Technology
The Paralegal instruction covers topics such as principles and practical experience in word processing, legal writing, ethical legal practice, professional responsibility, and organizing legal ideas and factual materials.
The Associate of Applied Science program includes classes such as:
- Microcomputer Applications
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Legal Terminology
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Constitutional Law
- Civil Litigation
- Commercial Law
- Wills, Trust, and Probate
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3000 West Scenic Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118
- Phone: (501) 812-2200
- Website: https://uaptc.edu
Regional Salary in Hawaii
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI | 130 | $66,890 | $32.16 | $113,260 | $46,790 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 910 | $58,680 | $28.21 | $78,150 | $41,380 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a non-lawyer career in the legal field, the paralegal profession can be a great option.
Now that you have read our list of the top paralegal schools in Hawaii and the programs they offer, the next step is to continue the research, decide if this career is a right fit for you, and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
