Become a Paralegal in Oregon

As of May 2020, paralegals in Oregon earned an average salary of $57,510, or $27.65 per hour. Paralegal jobs in the state totaled about 4,660 during this time. The top-paid paralegals in the state – likely those who have risen through the ranks through a combination of hard work and experience – earned upwards of $91,860, which represents the top 10%.

Search Paralegal Programs

It takes a specialized education to become a paralegal. Find out more about the options in your area and how you can get the training you need through a flexible online program that fits your schedule.

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Oregon Paralegal Certification

At this time there is no mandatory certification or licensing for paralegals in the state of Oregon.

Where to Earn Your Paralegal Certificate or Degree in Oregon

Paralegal Certificates

  • Portland Community College (PCC) – Cascade and Central Campuses

    Portland Community College‘s (PCC) paralegal certificate is a 45-credit program with relatively affordable tuition. The program remains current by conducting surveys of potential employers, graduates and faculty; the resulting feedback helps the school keep the program fresh and relevant by adding new courses, additions to the new law library and supplemental programs. Students are taught to use critical and analytical thinking, develop communication skills, follow professional standards and work effectively using project management skills.

    • Estimated Program Cost: $3,960 for students who meet residency guidelines; $9,720 for non-residents; Oregon residents 62 years and older may qualify for free or discounted tuition (based on 2013 per-credit tuition)
    • Prerequisites: Associate or bachelor’s degree, 27 general education credits or exemption from these criteria by the department chair
    • ABA Approved: Yes
    • Format: On campus

    Sample required courses:

    • Intro to Law – Fundamentals
    • Intro to Law – Substantive Area
    • Techniques of Interview
    • Legal Software
    • Computer Research in Law
    • Applied Legal Research and Drafting
  • Umpqua Community College (UCC)

    Located in Roseburg, Oregon, Umpqua Community College (UCC) offers a one-year legal assistant certificate that gives students the opportunity to learn the basic skills needed to enter the workforce an entry-level paralegal positions. In addition, since the curriculum for this course of study is the same as the curriculum for the school’s Associate in Applied Science in paralegal studies, students can easily continue their education.

    • Estimated Program Cost: $2,970.00 (based on 2013 full-program tuition)
    • Prerequisites: High school diploma, GED or age 18 or older
    • ABA Approved: No
    • Format: Online

    Sample required courses:

    • Ethics for the Legal Profession
    • Editing for Business
    • Legal Terminology
    • Civil Procedures

Paralegal Associate Degrees

  • Pioneer Pacific College (PPC)

    Pioneer Pacific College (PCC) is a for-profit college offering a paralegal Associate in Applied Science at its Wilsonville and Springfield campuses. Classes are taught by experienced legal professionals and all students participate in a 180-hour externship that gives them work experience in a law office.

    • Estimated Program Cost: $27,515 (based on 2013 full-program tuition)
    • Prerequisites: High school diploma, GED or associate degree or higher with a minimum GPA of 2.5; COMPASS
    • ABA Approved: Yes
    • Format: On campus

    Sample required courses:

    • Torts
    • Criminal Law
    • Ethics and Social Issues
    • Political Science
    • Civil Procedure & Documentation
  • Sumner College

    Conveniently located in Portland, Sumner College offers an Associate of Applied Science in paralegal studies. Students become familiar with legal software while learning the practical skills needed to work as paralegals. This program gives students knowledge of the American legal system and specialty areas of the law, and can be completed in 60 weeks on campus or 70 weeks online.

    • Estimated Program Cost: $19,530 (based on 2013 full-program tuition)
    • Prerequisites: Open admissions policy
    • ABA Approved: No
    • Format: On campus or online

    Sample required courses:

    • Legal Research
    • Constitutional Law
    • Contracts
    • Family Law

Paralegal Bachelor’s Degrees

  • Pioneer Pacific College (PPC)

    Pioneer Pacific College‘s (PCC) Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies in available on the Wilsonville campus. This program builds upon the school’s Associate in Applied Science paralegal degree and places an emphasis on substantive law and management.

    • Estimated Program Cost: $52,680 (based on 2013 full-program tuition and fees)
    • Prerequisites: Completion of the PCC’s Associate in Science legal assistant/paralegal program
    • ABA Approved: No
    • Format: On campus

    Sample required courses:

    • Law Office Management
    • Collective Bargaining
    • Conflict Resolution and Management
    • Employment Law
    • Principles of Economics

Additional Paralegal Educational Programs

Professional Organizations

  • The Oregon Paralegal Association (OPA) promotes the paralegal profession, continuing education and fellowship among association members and others in the legal community. Members have access to a job bank, as well as opportunities to network and learn new things about specialties like litigation and corporate law. Student memberships are available.

2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and job market trends for paralegals reflect  state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2022.

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