Trade Schools
This page compiles information about ten of the best paralegal programs available for Virginia residents who want to start a non-lawyer career in the legal field.
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 of a case
- 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.
1Germanna Community College
Germanna Community College offers a variety of academic programs, including transfer degrees and online accelerated degrees.
Courses Offered
The college provides an Administration of Justice, Applied Associate Degree program.
The program is available fully online and leads to an Associate Degree.
Students can graduate in two years.
A one-year Administration of Justice Certificate is also included in the college’s catalog.
Students take courses on:
- Ethics and the Criminal Justice Professional
- Criminal Law, Evidence, and Procedures
- Principles of Criminal Investigation
In-state 2023-2024 tuition is $168.86
Contact Information
- Address: 2130 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove, VA 22508
- Phone: (540) 891-3000
- Website: https://germanna.edu
2Hampton University
About the School
Hampton University offers 97 programs and a 15 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio.
The private college is located in Hampton, Virginia.
Hampton University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s education specialist, professional, and doctoral levels.
Courses Offered
The university provides a Paralegal Studies program designed to prepare students for the legal profession to perform as paralegals under the supervision of an attorney.
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Law in Society
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Criminal Law
- And more
Students also choose from electives such as Torts and Personal Injury, Real Estate, Domestic Relations, Bankruptcy, and more.
The Certificate includes 18 total credit hours.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 6227, Hampton, VA 23668
- Phone: 757.788.8968
- Website: https://home.hamptonu.edu
3James Madison University
About the School
James Madison University offers more than 70 majors and 130 programs.
The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees.
Courses Offered
The university provides a Paralegal Studies Non-Credit Certificate.
This program is designed for legal assistants and staff who want to improve their training and experience.
The curriculum covers topics on:
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Civil Litigation
- Contract Law
The program is offered in an online format and combines the theoretical and practical sides of law.
Students participate in live, instructor-led classes twice a week.
The program helps adult learners who want to start a legal career in only a few short months.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
- Phone: (540) 568-6211
- Website: https://www.jmu.edu
4Brightpoint Community College
About the School
Brightpoint Community College offers a variety of majors.
More than 75 programs are available, with classes taking place in a friendly, personal, and supportive environment.
Tuition for Virginia residents is $159.61 per credit.
Additional fees bring the total per-credit cost to $164.61
Brightpoint Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees, certificates, and career studies certificates.
Courses Offered
The college offers a Paralegal Studies, CSC program that can be completed in one year.
Among other skills, students learn how to research and evaluate a case brief, perform legal research, and write a memorandum of law.
The required courses include:
- College Composition
- Introduction to Digital Literacy and Computer Applications
- Introduction to Law and the Legal Assistant
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Electives
Students need a minimum of 18 credits to complete this program.
Contact Information
- Address: 13101 Route 1 (Formerly Jefferson Davis Highway)Chester, Virginia 23831-5316
- Phone: 804-796-4000
- Website: https://www.brightpoint.edu
5Reynolds Community College
About the School
Reynolds Community College offers a variety of academic programs at its four campuses: Perham Road, Downtown, Goochland, and The Kitchens at Reynolds.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees and certificates.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Studies program available at Reynolds Community College has prepared students for an exciting and challenging career in the legal field for more than 35 years.
The program offers day and evening classes including virtual hybrid schedules with synchronous lectures.
Students learn how to:
- Perform legal research and demonstrate knowledge of proper legal citation
- Graduates in the Litigation Specialization have knowledge of the core classes and are prepared to assist attorneys in preparation for trial
- Use computer software including computerized legal research
- And more
Students may attend classes full-time or part-time.
Substantive legal classes are available in fall, spring, and summer.
Contact Information
- Address: 1651 East Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia
- Phone: (804) 371-3000
- Website: https://www.reynolds.edu
6Laurel Ridge Community College
About the School
Laurel Ridge Community College offers more than 75 associate degrees and certificate programs and more than 60 fast-track career training programs.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Courses Offered
Among many other programs, the college provides a Paralegal Studies program that prepares students for a career as a non-lawyer assistant working under the direction and supervision of a lawyer.
The program can be completed in two years and leads to an Associate of Applied Science.
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Introduction to Digital Literacy and Computer Applications
- Legal Research
- Introduction to the Law and the Paralegal
- Torts
- Legal Transactions
- Ethics for the Legal Assistant
- Family Law
- Estate Planning and Probate
- And many other topics
Contact Information
- Address: 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645
- Phone: 800-906-5322
- Website: https://laurelridge.edu
7Marymount University
Marymount University is an independent, co-educational Catholic university that offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in a variety of disciplines.
Marymount University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees.
Courses Offered
Marymount University offers a Paralegal Studies program that can lead to a:
- Paralegal Studies Bachelor of Arts
- Paralegal Studies (Undergraduate Certificate)
- Business Law Specialty Under the B.B.A.
This program prepares students for work as paralegals in corporate law departments, law firms, and law-related agencies.
Students who want to prepare for a career in the Paralegal profession take courses on:
- Business Law
- Introduction to the Legal System
- Civil Litigation
- General Practice
- Legal Research and Writing
- Public Law and Procedure for Business elective
- Internship
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2807 North Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia 22207
- Phone: (703) 522-5600
- Website: https://marymount.edu
8New River Community College
New River Community College offers a variety of programs that can lead to degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
Courses Offered
Among many other programs, the college offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Administrative Support Specialization.
The curriculum is designed to provide specialized administrative support and technology education in the legal field.
The two-year program combines instruction in many subject areas required for competence as a paralegal office assistant, legal transcriptionist, legal records clerk, or legal research assistant.
The curriculum includes topics such as:
- College Composition
- Records Management
- Writing for Business
- Family Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Trial Preparation and Discovery Practice
- And more
Students need at least 65 credits for this degree.
Contact Information
- Address: 5251 College Drive, Dublin, VA 24084
- Phone: (540) 674-3600
- Website: https://www.nr.edu
9Mountain Empire Community College
Mountain Empire Community College is a two-year college that serves residents of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson Counties, and the City of Norton.
Programs are available in 69 fields of study
The student-to-faculty ratio is 16 to 1.
Mountain Empire Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degree.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes the following legal programs:
- Legal Office Assisting
- Paralegal Studies
The Paralegal Studies program is designed to prepare students for work in a legal office environment.
The program provides training in the general process of American law and the knowledge and skills to perform specific legal tasks under the supervision of an attorney.
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Business Law
- Introduction to Law & the Legal Assistant
- Ethics for the Paralegal
- Family Law
- Legal Research & Writing
- Criminal Law
- Legal Office Procedures
- And more
The Legal Office Assisting program leads to a certificate and prepares students for an entry-level position in a legal setting.
Students who attend this program take specialized legal courses as well as several general education courses.
Contact Information
- Address: 3441 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
- Phone: (276) 523-2400
- Website: https://www.mecc.edu
10Northern Virginia Community College
About the School
Northern Virginia Community College provides quality, flexible, and safe education that students can take from their homes or in the classroom.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degree.
Courses Offered
Northern Virginia Community College offers a Paralegal Studies, Associate in Applied Science program designed for students who want to become proficient in legal analysis, research, and writing.
The curriculum includes courses on:
- College Composition
- Introduction to Law and the Paralegal Assistant
- Family Law
- Legal Research
- Criminal Law
- Real Estate Law
- Trial Practice and the Law of Evidence
- Estate Planning and Probate
- And more
To remain in the program, students must complete each of the legal specialty courses in the program with a “C” or higher.
The Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association.
Contact Information
- Address: Bisdorf Building Room AA 134, 5000 Dawes Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311
- Phone: 703.845.6520
- Website: https://www.nvcc.edu
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 80 | $46,420 | $22.32 | $59,490 | $31,280 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 240 | $56,460 | $27.14 | $72,240 | $36,760 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 100 | $49,660 | $23.88 | $65,150 | $31,890 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 180 | $46,650 | $22.43 | $62,870 | $30,570 |
| Richmond, VA | 2,300 | $56,680 | $27.25 | $78,720 | $36,610 |
| Roanoke, VA | 440 | $50,480 | $24.27 | $64,210 | $30,810 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 50 | $53,880 | $25.9 | $63,920 | $31,200 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 1,880 | $51,370 | $24.7 | $66,590 | $33,150 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 120 | $51,440 | $24.73 | $65,080 | $31,290 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you live in Virginia and you want to start a career in the law field without spending three years in law school, the paralegal profession is worth exploring.
Now that you have read our list of the best paralegal programs available in your state, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
