Are you a detail-oriented, responsible person who gets satisfaction from completing precise research? Are you fascinated by law but aren’t sure if law school is for you?
Dallas College has one of only a few paralegal programs in the state approved by the American Bar Association and is designed to teach you to work as a paralegal to attorneys. It also can help you decide if a law career is right for you.
Paralegal at a Glance
Dallas College offers many different ways to reach your career goals. Whether you want to jump into the workforce quickly or spend more time building advanced skills, we have the programs that fit your needs and timeline.
Certificate Programs
Estimated total tuition cost2:
$2,970
Estimated time to complete1:
1 year
- El Centro3
Associate Degrees
Estimated total tuition cost2:
$5,940
Estimated time to complete1:
2 years
- El Centro3
Which Degrees and Certificates are Right for Me?
Credit Certificates
Dallas College offers credit certificates that provide focused, career-ready skills recognized by employers.
Estimated tuition total: $2,970 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 1 year for full-time students
Can I Get a Job?
Dallas College offers a variety of certificates and degrees to help you gain the skills you need to start working right away.
- These credentials are often considered Career and Technical Education (CTE).
- These credentials are established with the assistance and cooperation of representatives from local business, to meet local and regional employment needs.
- Higher-level certificates and degrees will typically lead to a higher salary in the workforce.
- Workforce (CE) certificates can often be completed faster than traditional credit certificates but typically do not offer college credit.
- Level 1, Level 2, Enhanced Skills certificates and others offer college credit and are often stackable to help you build skills as you work toward an associate degree.
- Workforce credentials may give you college credit at Dallas College, but they may not transfer to other colleges or universities.
If you're unsure if this is the right path for you, you can talk to a pathway specialist for advice.
Pathway Specialist
- 972-669-6400
- PathwaySuccess@DallasCollege.edu
Associate Degrees
Dallas College's associate degrees provide a strong academic foundation for career entry or transfer to a four-year institution.
Estimated tuition total: $5,940 for in-county residents
Estimated time to completion: 2 years for full-time students
Can I Transfer?
Our Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates may not fully transfer to a four-year college or university.
- If your goal is to transfer, you may want to explore our Core Curriculum and Transfer Pathways.
- You may also want to explore a transfer degree, like an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science.
- The classes you take will count towards a bachelor's degree and are designed to be accepted by any public college or university in Texas.
If you're not sure if this is the right choice for you, you can talk to a Pathway Specialist for guidance.
Pathway Specialist
- 972-669-6400
- PathwaySuccess@DallasCollege.edu
Questions About Degrees and Certificates?
We know applying to college can be confusing. If you are not yet a Dallas College student, you have a whole team of recruitment coaches to help guide you through programs and the enrollment process.
Current students, contact your success coach (advisor) who can answer any questions you have about Paralegal programs and your degree and certificate options.
Contact a Recruitment Coach
What Can I Earn? Will There Be Plenty of Jobs?
Knowing how to draft legal documents, manage law office procedures and research legal data will make you a valuable employee in a variety of settings. Check out a few of the incredible career opportunities you’ll be ready for. Your future starts here!
Compliance Officers
Median Salary
Job Openings
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Monitoring
- Time Management
- Persuasion
Legal Secretaries
Median Salary
Job Openings
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Time Management
- Service Orientation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Median Salary
Job Openings
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
- Service Orientation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Monitoring
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
Median Salary
Job Openings
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Writing
- Time Management
- Complex Problem Solving
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Coordination
All jobs data gathered for Dallas/Fort Worth. Source: Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence and Lightcast4.
“My paralegal classes really gave me the fundamental foundation of what it means to be a paralegal. I had always been the only paralegal in a small law firm and I got a much better understanding of how paralegals are utilized in much larger firms.” Read Rosa M. Berdeja's story.
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Our Paralegal program is not only widely respected but is also an incredible bargain. Its setting near downtown Dallas provides access to the Records Building, George Allen Civil Courthouse, Frank Crowley Criminal Courthouse and Earle Cabell Federal Courthouse. As a Paralegal student, you will:
- Have instructors who are practicing attorneys and paralegals.
- Have access to an on-campus law library and two computer-assisted legal research systems.
- Prepare for exciting and challenging work with law firms, corporations and agencies.
Find Out More About Dallas College
Sign up to receive additional information about Dallas College or call 972-669-6400.
Kimberly Wilson
- 214-860-5732
- klwilson@dallascollege.edu
Dallas College
- 972-669-6400
- Text College to 214-978-6457
- StudentHelp@DallasCollege.edu
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1Length of time is based on catalog degree plans. Prerequisites may be required, which are not included in this estimate. For most programs, full-time student status is assumed, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
2Cost for credit courses is based on tuition rates for program hours for Dallas County residents. The price of most required learning materials (books, software, supplies, etc.) is included with the price of tuition. Certain programs may have additional costs above the standard tuition. Continuing Education and Ed2Go courses may vary by program. Please review the Area of Study Overview and/or the Health Information Packets for additional costs and details. Visit our Paying for College site to learn more about cost, financial aid, scholarships and more.
3Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options. Not all degree and certificate offerings are available for admission/start at all campuses every semester.
4A portion of Lightcast’s data comes from O*NET Online by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Lightcast has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.