Trade Schools
If you’re a Maryland resident and want to start a non-lawyer career in the legal field, earning a paralegal degree or certificate can be the first step toward a rewarding career.
Paralegals and legal assistants work in law offices and other similar settings and are usually responsible for tasks such as:
- Maintaining and organizing files
- Conducting legal research
- Drafting documents
- Investigating facts of a case
- Interviewing clients
- Getting affidavits and other formal statements used as evidence in court
- Helping lawyers during trials
- And more
As more law firms want to minimize costs for their clients, many tasks that were previously completed by entry-level lawyers are now assigned to paralegals.
This results in an increased demand for skilled paralegal professionals.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand for paralegals and legal assistants will grow 14 percent by 2031.
Before being ready for employment as a paralegal you will need an associate’s degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor’s degree in a different field and a certificate in paralegal studies.
This page compiles information about the best paralegal schools in Maryland and the programs offered.
1Metropolitan School of Professional Studies
About the School
Metropolitan School of Professional Studies provides a Paralegal Studies Certificate available in flexible online and on-campus formats.
Students can earn a certificate in only one year.
Classes are held by experts with real-world experience in the law.
Flexible evening classes online or in person are available to fit the schedule of working adults.
The school provides individualized attention and small class sizes.
The program is also available as an Associate Degree.
Courses Offered
The degree requirements include classes such as:
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- Legal Research and Writing
- Civil Procedure
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Torts
- 90-Hour Paralegal Internship
Students also need to take three electives from general practice concentration classes.
Contact Information
- Address: 620 Michigan Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20064
- Website: https://metro.catholic.edu
2University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
About the School
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law provides a curriculum that combines theoretical and practical courses, designed to broaden students’ understanding of the legal profession.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Business Law Program
- Cybersecurity and Crisis Management Program
- Dispute Resolution Program
- Law & Health Care Program
- International and Comparative Law Program
- And more
Maryland Carey Law also offers a JD/MBA with three institutions including the John Hopkins Carey School of Business where students can receive automatic admission.
Contact Information
- Address: 500 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-1786
- Phone: (410) 706-7214
- Website: https://www.law.umaryland.edu
3Baltimore City Community College
About the School
Baltimore City Community College is a state-sponsored, comprehensive, degree-granting community college.
The college has five learning sites in Baltimore City.
Available are associate degree programs and certifications that prepare students for employment in high-demand fields, affordable tuition, and flexible classes.
Baltimore City Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
Among many other pathways, the college provides a Legal Assistant Associate Degree program.
This program includes first-level courses on principles of law, legal research, writing, ethics, and office procedures.
Students can further specialize in estates and trusts, communications law, or environmental law.
They are required to complete a minimum of 90 hours of work under the supervision of an attorney to gain experience.
The Educational Plan includes classes such as:
- General Law
- English Law
- Legal Writing
- Office Practice & Ethics
- Legal Research
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2901 Liberty Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215-7807
- Phone: 410-462-8300
- Website: https://www.bccc.edu
4Frederick Community College
About the School
Frederick Community College is a public college accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The college provides flexible learning formats that include day, evening, weekend, online and hybrid options to meet the needs of students.
High school students also have access to college courses through its Open Campus and High School-Based Dual Enrollment programs.
Courses Offered
The college provides a Paralegal program that is nationally recognized by the American Association for Paralegal Education.
The following degree paths are available:
- Paralegal A.A.S. Degree
- Paralegal Certificate
- Access to Justice
The Paralegal Certificate program is designed for individuals who have a job and want to increase their opportunities by acquiring college credentials.
Individuals who already have a degree in another field may also improve their employment opportunities by earning this certificate
The requirements for this program include:
- Introduction to Law
- Ethics Specific to the Legal Professional
- Contracts
- Torts
- Technology for the Legal Profession
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- And more
The Certificate requires 30 credits in total.
Contact Information
- Address: 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702
- Phone: 301.846.2400
- Website: https://www.frederick.edu
5College of Southern Maryland
About the School
College of Southern Maryland provides a wide variety of programs designed to help students meet their professional and personal goals.
The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
The Fall 2023- Summer 2024 tuition is $140 per credit for residents of Charles, Clavert, and St. Mary County.
Other Maryland residents pay $245 per credit.
Courses Offered
The college provides a Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement program that leads to an A.A., A.A.S., Certificate, or Letter of Recognition.
This program is available at the La Plata Campus, Leonardtown Campus, and Prince Frederick Campus.
Students can transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree in criminology, criminal justice, or another related field.
The following programs of study are available:
- General Studies: Criminal Justice, A.A.
- Law Enforcement, A.A.S.
- Criminal Justice Certificate
- Criminal Justice Letter of Recognition
- Security Management Certificate
- Security Management Letter of Recognition
Contact Information
- Address: 8730 Mitchell Rd, PO Box 910, La Plata, MD 20646
- Phone: 301-934-2251
- Website: https://www.csmd.edu
6Harford Community College
About the School
Harford Community College provides more than 90 degree and certificate programs as well as career and workforce programs.
The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The college provides a Paralegal Studies program designed for students interested in the law.
Paralegal Studies degree and certificate options are available to prepare students for transfer to a four-year institution and complete their bachelor’s degree or gain employment in the field.
The A.A.S. program requires 60 credits, while the certificate requires between 35 and 37 credits.
The degree requirements include:
- Introduction to Law
- Technology in the Legal Profession
- Technical Writing
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Torts and Insurance
- Civil Litigation and Procedure
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, MD 21015-1627
- Phone: 443.412.2000
- Website: https://www.harford.edu
7Prince George's Community College
About the School
Prince George’s Community College provides training programs at six locations:
- Largo Campus
- Joint Base Andrews
- Laurel College Center
- Skilled Trades Center
- University Town Center
- Westphalia Training Center
The College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The following Paralegal courses are available at the College:
- Paralegal Internship I- a course that provides students with an introductory practical experience in an entry-level position in a legal setting under the supervision of a lawyer
- Paralegal Internship II- students who take this course complete an intermediate practical experience
- Paralegal Internship III- a course that provides students with a comprehensive practical experience
- Real Estate Transactions- a course that teaches about the paralegal’s role in the sale and titling of residential property
- Legal Ethics- a study of ethical considerations that apply to lawyers and paralegals when dealing with clients
- Civil Litigation- This course provides a survey of the procedural rules and evidentiary principles that govern civil cases
- Techniques of Legal Research- students use a law library, either actually or virtually
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 301 Largo Rd., Largo, MD 20774
- Phone: 301-546-0864 (Admissions)
- Website: https://www.pgcc.edu
8Anne Arundel Community College
About the School
Anne Arundel Community College provides associate degrees and credit certificates that prepare students for transfer to a four-year institution or move into an immediate career.
The college has a School of Business and Law that prepares students for transfer to a four-year school, entering the workforce, or updating their business skills.
Courses Offered
The college has the following departments:
- Business Administration
- Business Management
- Economics
- Enterprenorial Studies Institute
- Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Institute
- Legal Studies Institute
The Paralegal program available at Anne Arundel Community College prepares students to join the legal team with a career in a dynamic field.
According to the college’s website, this is one of only four college or university programs in Maryland approved by the American Bar Association.
The Paralegal Studies A.A.S. program includes 60 credits in total.
The program requirements include classes such as:
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- Electronic Legal Research
- Legal Research and Writing
- Civil Procedure
- Legal Ethics
- Criminal Law
- Business Law
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012-1895
- Phone: 410-777-2222
- Website: https://www.aacc.edu
9Liberty University
Programs that can prepare you for a career in the paralegal profession are also available online at colleges and universities located in other states.
About the School
One such program is the online paralegal training program available at Liberty University, an accredited Christian college.
A variety of programs are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels and are taught from a Christian perspective.
The programs are available fully online and students can 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
10Purdue University Global
About the School
Purdue University Global provides programs designed to help working adults earn a degree at their own pace while keeping a full-time job.
The online university is designed to fit into the students’ busy life.
Courses Offered
Among many other program pathways, the university provides the following legal studies programs:
- Master of Science in Legal Studies
- Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services
- Legal Secretary Certificate
- Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- And more
The Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate can be completed in 11 months.
The certificate requires 36-37 credits.
The program costs $371 per credit.
Students learn from a faculty of legal practitioners with real-world expertise in legal services, law, and policy.
The curriculum covers topics such as:
- Introduction to the Law and Legal Profession
- Civil Litigation
- Legal Ethics
- Law Office Management
- Legal Research and Writing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2550 Northwestern Avenue, Suite 1100, West Lafayette, IN 47906
- Phone: 866-522-7747
- Website: https://www.purdueglobal.edu
Regional Salary in Maryland
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 4,180 | $63,650 | $30.6 | $83,410 | $43,260 |
| California-Lexington Park, MD | 80 | $56,920 | $27.37 | $87,440 | $40,780 |
| Cumberland, MD-WV | 40 | $41,690 | $20.04 | $55,520 | $28,590 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 290 | $60,540 | $29.11 | $84,140 | $36,100 |
| Salisbury, MD-DE | 220 | $51,780 | $24.9 | $77,200 | $33,860 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to become ready for employment as a Paralegal, Maryland is home to several schools that provide specialized training programs.
Classes are available online and in person so students can complete the coursework while keeping a full-time job.
Now that you have read our selection of the best Paralegal schools that offer programs accessible to Maryland residents, the next step is to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs.
