Those who live in the eastern part of the country have a number of options for paralegal training. Hesser College in New Hampshire offers an Associate of Science degree in paralegal studies. The program includes courses in property law, legal research, civil and criminal law and wills, estates and trusts. Students gain an awareness of the law and hands-on experience using a national legal database. Other paralegal programs on the East Coast are available at Brown Mackie College and Rasmussen College in Florida, Briarcliffe College in New York, King's College and Miller-Motte College in North Carolina and Berks Technical Institute in Pennsylvania.
The paralegal program at Platt College in California allows students to earn an associate degree in paralegal studies in 15 months or a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies in 26 months. Students at Platt study research and writing, criminal law, civil litigation, family law, ethics, estate planning, trial procedures, labor law and intellectual property. Students gain hands-on experience working with legal-related computer programs and online research tools during their education. Other paralegal studies programs in the west are offered at Anthem College in Arizona, National University in California and Broadview University in Utah.
The Midwest is home to a number of schools providing paralegal education. Minne Business College has an associate degree program that students complete in 16 months. Students study tort, real estate, commercial and criminal law as well as estate planning. The program also features an externship, so students gain experience in real-world legal situations. Other paralegal programs in the Midwest are offered at Northwestern College in Illinois, the International Business College in Indiana, Hickey College in Missouri and Beckfield College in Ohio.
Students who prefer to earn their paralegal degree or certificate in a non-traditional environment can participate in an online program. Globe University provides several degree and diploma options, including a Legal Administrative Assistant Diploma, an Associate in Applied Science, a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal and a Post-baccalaureate Paralegal Certificate. Other online programs that offer paralegal education include Anthem College, the Minnesota School of Business, South University and Virginia College.