Trade Schools
This page compiles information about the best paralegal schools in Tennessee.
If you want to start a non-lawyer career in the legal field, this professional option is worth exploring.
Paralegals and legal assistants work in legal offices and are usually responsible for tasks such as:
- Maintaining and organizing files
- Conducting legal research
- Drafting documents
- Investigating and gathering facts
- Getting affidavits and other formal statements that can be used as evidence in court
- Helping lawyers during trials
- And more
Before being ready for employment as a paralegal, you will need an associate’s degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor’s degree and a certificate in paralegal studies.
1Belmont University
Belmont University provides undergraduate programs in legal studies.
The programs are available in person.
A Legal Studies/3+3 Major offers an accelerated path to Belmont College of Law, allowing students to complete the first year of law school at Belmont during their fourth undergraduate year.
Students learn skills and knowledge about:
- The judicial system
- Argumentation
- The entreprenorial process
- Fundamental theories of the nature of law
- Examining ethical issues using real-world case studies
The Major in Legal Studies leads to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and requires 128 credit hours of coursework:
- BELL core requirements: 53 hours
- Major Core requirements: 24 hours
- Major Elective Hours: 6 hours
The major core requirements include courses such as:
- Business Law
- Persuasion
- Argumentation & Debate
- Legal Entrepreneurship
- Legal Writing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee 37212
- Phone: 615-460-6000
- Website: https://www.belmont.edu
2Chattanooga State Community College
About the School
Chattanooga State Community College offers training programs for students who have just graduated from high school, for those who want to go back to college, and for adults who want to keep a full-time job while earning a degree or certificate.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the Associate Degree.
It may also offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.
Courses Offered
The following paralegal programs are available at the college:
- Paralegal Studies Technical Certificates
- Paralegal Studies Associate in Applied Science
The paralegal curriculum includes the following courses:
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies and Ethics
- Legal Research
- Civil Litigation Skills
- Legal Writing
- And more
This program offers a twenty-one credit hour Technical Certificate and can be completed in one calendar year.
Contact Information
- Address: 4501 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37406
- Phone: 423-697-4400
- Website: https://www.chattanoogastate.edu
3Nashville State Community College
About the School
Nashville State Community College offers more than 80 programs students can choose from.
In-state tuition is $176 per credit hour for up to 12 credits and $38 per credit hour for additional hours above 12.
Nashville State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees and technical certificates.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Studies program available at Nashville State Community College leads to an Associate of Applied Science.
The program prepares students who can:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of legal ethics and professional responsibility
- Explaining the organization of the court system
- Conducting legal research
- Interviewing clients and witnesses
- Use word processing and law-related computer software
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of procedural and substantive law
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 120 White Bridge Pk. Nashville, TN 37209
- Phone: (615) 353-3333
- Website: https://www.nscc.edu
4Pellissippi State Community College
Pellissippi State Community College has four campuses in Knox and Blount counties: Blount County, Hardin Valley, Magnolia Avenue, and Strawberry Plains.
Daytime and evening classes are available at the college.
The college provides flexible online and hybrid classes.
Courses Offered
Among many other career programs, Pellissippi State Community College provides a Paralegal Studies program.
The Paralegal Studies program is a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree approved by the American Bar Association.
Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science.
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies & Ethics
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Torts
- Contract Law
- Property Law
- Civil Litigation Skills
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, P.O. Box 22990, Knoxville, TN 37933-0990
- Phone: 865-694-6400
- Website: https://www.pstcc.edu
5Roane State Community College
About the School
Roane State Community College provides a Legal and Criminal Justice pathway that includes a Paralegal Studies- Associate of Applied Science option.
This program is offered at the college’s main campus in Harriman.
This program is approved by the American Bar Association.
Roane State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
The college may also offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Introduction to Legal Profession and Ethics
- Survey of American Law
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Criminal Law
- Trusts and Estates
- Family Law
- And more
The program includes 60-61 total hours.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Association of Legal Assistants certified legal assistant exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN 37748-5011
- Phone: (865) 354-3000 or toll-free 866-462-7722
- Website: https://www.roanestate.edu
6Southwest Tennessee Community College
About the School
Southwest Tennessee Community College offers day, night, or weekend classes on campus or online.
More than 110 programs are available and lead to degrees or certificates.
Eligible high school graduates and adult learners may attend classes tuition-free.
Courses Offered
Southwest Tennessee Community College offers a Paralegal Studies program that prepares students to become an essential part of a legal team.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Intro to Paralegal Studies & Ethics
- Legal Research
- Family Law
- Civil Litigation Skills
- Legal Writing
- Legal Internship
- And more
A grade of at least “C” is required in all Paralegal Studies courses.
Students must complete 120 hours of their internship.
Courses in this program are designed to transfer.
The Paralegal Studies program has a transfer agreement with the California University of Pennsylvania and one with the University of Mississippi.
Contact Information
- Address: 5983 Macon Cove, Memphis, TN 38134
- Phone: 901-333-5000
- Website: https://www.southwest.tn.edu
7The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
About the School
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offers more than 100 undergraduate majors, over 50 undergraduate minors, and over 100 graduate programs.
The university is equipped with high-tech learning and research facilities and served by a faculty of teaching scholars.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Courses Offered
The following paralegal programs are available at the university:
- Paralegal Certificate
- Paralegal Specialized Topics
- Advanced Paralegal Certificate
The following courses are available:
- Advanced Legal Research and Writing
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Certification Course
- Employment Law Certificate Course
- Personal Injury for Paralegals
- Software Essentials for the Law Office
- Victim Advocacy Certificate Course
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN, 37403
- Phone: 423-425-4111
- Website: https://www.utc.edu
8Volunteer State Community College
About the School
Volunteer State Community College has four campuses: Gallatin, Cookeville, Livingston, and Springfield.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate Degrees and certificates.
Courses Offered
The college provides an Online Certified Paralegal Course.
This is a fully online course that prepares students for the Certified Paralegal exam, offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants.
Students learn how to perform a variety of tasks that paralegal experience every day, including legal research, interviews, analysis, and more.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Paralegal in the Legal System
- Paralegal Employment
- Regulation for Paralegals
- Introduction to Legal Analysis
- Litigation Management
- Legal Writing
- Tort Law, Product Liability, and Consumer Law
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066
- Phone: (615) 452-8600
- Website: https://www.volstate.edu
9Walters State Community College
About the School
Walters State Community College offers programs that prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges, for a new career, or enrollment in dual enrollment classes.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Studies program available at Walters State Community College prepares students for work under the supervision of an attorney in private law offices, government agencies, or corporate law departments.
Students learn how to perform legal research, and a variety of other skills, including document preparation, client interviewing, factual investigation, and case management.
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies and Ethics
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Family Law
- Civil Litigation Skills
- Criminal Law
- And more
This program leads to an Associate of Applied Science.
Contact Information
- Address: 500 South Davy Crockett Parkway, Morristown, TN 37813-6899
- Phone: 423.585.2600
- Website: https://www.ws.edu
10Rasmussen University
About the School
More than 50 programs are available at Rasmussen University and students have the option of choosing from multiple start dates each year.
The university has a history of 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 Rasmussen 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.
Students enrolled in this program 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 paralegal 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 many other topics
Contact Information
- Address: 385 Douglas Ave Suite #1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
- Phone: 407-635-8200
- Website: https://info.rasmussen.edu
Regional Salary in Tennessee
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 380 | $51,820 | $24.91 | $72,820 | $34,350 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 100 | $42,380 | $20.37 | $59,770 | $29,270 |
| Cleveland, TN | 30 | $48,690 | $23.41 | $62,070 | $33,980 |
| Jackson, TN | 80 | $46,730 | $22.47 | $62,230 | $30,400 |
| Johnson City, TN | 50 | $47,510 | $22.84 | $68,620 | $29,850 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 190 | $47,920 | $23.04 | $79,080 | $28,990 |
| Knoxville, TN | 670 | $53,740 | $25.84 | $77,210 | $32,750 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 840 | $50,820 | $24.43 | $76,380 | $25,590 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 2,020 | $57,020 | $27.41 | $84,990 | $37,860 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of the best paralegal schools in Tennessee, the next step is to continue the research and decide if this career path is a right fit for you.
Then it’s time to choose an online program or one available near you that fits your learning style and career aspirations.
