Pennsylvania provides excellent opportunities for paralegals. Legal firms, the courts, and private industry all rely on paralegals for the cost-effective and efficient delivery of legal services. As of 2020, Pennsylvania was home to no less than 24 Fortune 500 companies like Comcast, Rite Aid, United States Steel, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
As of May 2020, Pennsylvania was home to about 11,870 paralegal jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The average salary for these legal support professionals was $58,490, or $28.12 per hour, while the top earners here (top 10%) enjoyed salaries that exceeded $84,340.
Paralegal Certification
There is no legal regulation for paralegal certification in Pennsylvania. However, the state did pass a law in 1996 that states that paralegals and legal assistants cannot practice law and can provide legal services only under the supervision of an attorney. The Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations began a voluntary certification program in 2008.
Where to Earn Your Paralegal Certificate or Degree in Pennsylvania
Paralegal Certificates
Delaware County Community College
Located in Media, Delaware Community College is a two-year institution that has been serving Delaware and Chester counties since 1967. DCC offers both day and evening classes and its certificate program in paralegal studies can be completed within a year. This affordable program is offered at the college’s main Marple campus, located in Media, offering a convenient commute from the surrounding communities of Villanova, Havertown and Ardmore.
- Estimated Program Cost*: $3,150 for residents of sponsoring school districts; $6,300 for Pennsylvania residents in non-sponsoring districts; $9,450 for out-of-state and international students (based on 2013-2014 per credit hour tuition)
- Requirements: Associate or bachelor’s degree
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On Campus
Sample required courses:
- Introduction to Paralegal
- Contract Law
- Real Estate Law
- Civil Litigation and Tort Principles
Duquesne University
A private four-year institution in Pittsburgh, Duquesne University’s Paralegal Institute offers a non-credit post-baccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies that’s available as a generalized course of study and with specializations in corporate law, civil litigation, estates and litigation technology. A student taking evening classes can complete this program in nine months; an accelerated summer day program is also offered. Students can take advantage of Duquesne’s Law Library, an online job bank and instructors drawn from the Pittsburgh legal community and the university’s law school. Courses are non-credit and cannot be transferred.
Paralegal Associate Degrees
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Venango College of Clarion University offers an Associate of Science in paralegal studies that gives students the knowledge and practical skills increasingly in demand, not only in legal professions, but also in government, business, medicine, politics and beyond. This 68-credit course of study is the most affordable ABA-approved paralegal program in western Pennsylvania.
- Estimated Program Cost: $13,244 for state residents; $19,868 for out-of-state and international students (based on 2013-2014 per credit hour tuition for four full-time semesters)
- Prerequisites: Students must possess a high school diploma or GED, or be graduates of an approved home-schooled program
- ABA Approved: Yes
- On Campus
Community College of Philadelphia
As the city where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were born, Philadelphia an auspicious location to study law. Students in the Community College of Philadelphia’s Associate in Applied Science in paralegal studies program are mentored by members of the local legal community as they learn to draft legal documents, analyze legal problems, conduct legal research and develop relationships with clients. This course of study can benefit students in the job market, and can transfer to a four-year program.
- Estimated Program Cost*: $9,180 for Philadelphia residents; $18,360 for in-state students who are not residents of Philadelphia; $27,540 for out-of-state and international students (based on 2013 per credit hour tuition; does not include fees)
- Requirements: Placement tests, which determine if students need to take remedial classes before tackling college-level material.
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On Campus
- Estimated Program Cost*: $9,180 for Philadelphia residents; $18,360 for in-state students who are not residents of Philadelphia; $27,540 for out-of-state and international students (based on 2013 per credit hour tuition; does not include fees)
Paralegal Bachelor’s Degrees
Gannon University
A Catholic Diocesan University in Erie, Gannon University is dedicated to providing a strong liberal arts education that is grounded in “values-centered learning,” with the goal of developing global citizens. Its Bachelor of Arts in legal studies enables students to pursue double majors or minors in related fields that enhance the depth of their professional skills; these fields include criminal justice, politics, business and Spanish.
- Estimated Program Cost: $108,000 (based on 2013-2014 per year tuition)
- Requirements:16 units at the high school level (including courses in English, math, foreign language, social science and science), SAT/ACT scores
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On Campus
Sample required courses:
- Trial Preparation and Procedure
- Computers in Law
- Bankruptcy
- Contract law
Additional Paralegal Educational Programs
Blackstone Career Institute
Allentown, PA
Degrees Offered: Legal Assistant/Paralegal Career Training Program
Bucks County Community College
Newtown, PA
Degrees Offered: Post-baccalaureate Certificate, Associate in Arts
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, PA
Degrees Offered: Associate in Arts, Certificate Program
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, PA
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science, Certificate
Manor College
Jenkintown, PA
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies: Concentration in Pre-Law
Northampton Community College
Bethlehem, PA
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science
Peirce College
Philadelphia, PA
Degrees Offered: Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science, Post-baccalaureate Certificate
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
Degrees Offered: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Professional Organizations
- The Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations (Keystone Alliance) is comprised of multiple paralegal associations in Pennsylvania and works to maintain communication among them and with other members of the legal community. This organization provides a unified voice for paralegals in Pennsylvania, works to advance to paralegal profession and monitors the legal landscape. It also developed a voluntary certification exam to set a benchmark for law firms and companies hiring paralegals.
- The Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association (CPPA) is open to paralegals, paralegal students and paralegal educators. It is affiliated with the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations. Its primary goals include expanding the roles of paralegals, providing education and fostering communication between paralegals and paralegal organizations.
- The Chester County Paralegal Association (CCPA) provides opportunities for paralegals to network with other legal professionals, allows members to access job postings before they’re open to the general public and helps them stay informed through the “Paralegal Pipelines“ newsletter. It also encourages continuing education and grants a paralegal studies scholarship.
- The Delaware County Paralegal Association (DCPA) provides members with opportunities for networking and exchanging information, as well as offers continuing legal education courses.
- The Lancaster Area Paralegal Association (LAPA) fosters continuing education and professionalism within its membership and the legal community. It offers continuing education opportunities and a job bank, and works to foster fellowship within the legal profession.
- Pittsburgh Paralegal Association (PPA) has over 450 members in the Pittsburgh area. Affiliated with the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and the Keystone Alliance, it works to promote the professional development and continuing education of paralegals.
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.