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There’s currently a high demand for qualified paralegals all across the country.
Individuals interested in working in a rewarding career in the legal field should become paralegals in Maryland.
Learn more about the career outlooks, requirements, and educational opportunities for taking this exciting career path.
Article Table of Contents
Requirements for Becoming a Paralegal in Maryland
There’s currently no requirement to become a paralegal in Maryland.
No certificate is a condition of employment, but it can open many doors for career professionals.
In order to become a certified paralegal in Maryland, you must have some prerequisites, including being over 18 and possessing a GED or a high school diploma.
Individuals who want to gain experience without enrolling in a program or school can get the training they need by applying at a Maryland legal aid Bureau and serving as an intern. Individuals must also be citizens of the US or legal aliens.
Additionally, paralegals must work under the supervision of an attorney or legal firm.
Individuals are usually required to undergo a background check, but it is not a requirement to work as a paralegal.
Individuals wishing to become certified can take the paralegal core competency exam, PCC, the paralegal Advanced competency exam, PACE, or even the national Federation of paralegal associations NFPA exam.
5 Paralegal Schools in Maryland
Plenty of programs in schools offer training courses for paralegals in Maryland.
Consider these top five options to provide students with comprehensive hands-on training and skills necessary to become effective paralegals.
Anne Arundel Community College
This ABA-approved program prepares students for their duties as paralegals in Maryland.
The course covers all aspects of law and research and provides comprehensive instruction.
This is a 60-credit course that provides an associate of applied science and a certificate and paralegal studies.
The in-state tuition for these classes is $8540 annually.
The location of the college is 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012.
The phone number for the admissions office is410-777–2222.
Community College of Baltimore County
This program offers an ABA-approved program for an associate of science in legal studies.
This comprehensive program covers every aspect of a paralegal career and even offers a 30-credit certificate program.
The in-state tuition for this program is $5812 per year.
The address of the school is 800 South Rolling Rd Baltimore, MD 21228.
The phone number for the admissions office is 443-840-2222.
Stevenson University
Stevenson university offers a bachelor of science for this ABA-approved paralegal course.
The program covers legal theory and even offers plenty of hands-on experience.
In addition, this program allows students to work as employees in a legal office to gain further experience.
The cost of tuition is approximately $38,000 per year.
The location of the campus is 1525 Green Spring Valley Road, Stevenson, MD21153.
Montgomery College
Individuals who want to take an ABA-approved course to get their associate’s of applied science can attend the hybrid program at Montgomery College.
This program is designed to give a two-year 60-hour credit degree.
The tuition for college is $10,254 annually.
The address of the college is 51 Mannakee St., Rockdale, MD 20850.
The phone number for the admissions office is 240–567-5000.
Cecil College
Cecil College offers an associate of arts and paralegal studies for its paralegal program.
This is a 60-credit-hour program that is designed to prepare individuals for a rewarding career in the paralegal field.
This program involves general education and a focus on areas of the law and their legal skills.
The in-state cost of tuition at Cecil college is $8040 per year.
The address for the school is 1 Seahawk Drive, North East, MD 21901.
The phone number for the admissions office is 410–287–2701.
Paralegal Schools in Maryland – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Anne Arundel Community College | 101 College Pkwy, Arnold, MD 21012 |
| Community College of Baltimore County | 7201 Rossville Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21237 |
| Stevenson University | 10945 Boulevard Cir, Owings Mills, MD 21117 |
| Montgomery College | 20200 Observation Drive, Germantown, MD 20876 |
| Cecil College | 1 Seahawk Dr, North East, MD 21901 |
Salary for Paralegals in Maryland
The average salary for a paralegal in Maryland is $60,148 annually.
However, that figure can exceed $70,000 per year, depending on several factors.
These factors can include the length of experience, special skills, and the location of the job.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $61,832 |
| Frederick | $64,606 |
| Gaithersburg | $66,776 |
| Bowie | $66,816 |
| Rockville | $66,876 |
| Hagerstown | $60,973 |
| Annapolis | $63,735 |
| College Park | $66,957 |
| Salisbury | $64,118 |
| Cumberland | $55,192 |
Regional Salary in Maryland
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 3,850 | $68,600 | $32.98 | $87,400 | $46,050 |
| California-Lexington Park, MD | 50 | $61,010 | $29.33 | $92,530 | $42,870 |
| Cumberland, MD-WV | 30 | $49,190 | $23.65 | $68,860 | $35,390 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 320 | $64,300 | $30.91 | $88,210 | $37,670 |
| Salisbury, MD-DE | 240 | $56,970 | $27.39 | $84,240 | $35,900 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an individual need to pass a third-party background check to work as a paralegal in Maryland?
Although most legal firms and attorneys do a background check on prospective paralegals, it is not a legal requirement.
Anyone with a felony in their background has a difficult time finding ideal employment as a paralegal.
Is an internship required to work as a paralegal in Maryland?
An internship is not a requirement to work as a paralegal in Maryland, but it is definitely recommended.
Internships help individuals get hands-on training to give them the skills and insight they need to work effectively as paralegals in Maryland.
Anyone who enrolls in a training program or a school will likely have the opportunity or option to work either as an intern or a paid employee for a second-year program.
Are paralegals required to be certified to work independently in Maryland?
A paralegal that does not have a certificate cannot work independently and must work under the supervision of an attorney or a law firm.
An individual may also qualify to take an exam after working for an attorney for a period of years.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Paralegal
Paralegal Schools by State