6 Best Paralegal Schools in Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Technical College offers an ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and a shorter professional certificate for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree.

The curriculum covers legal research, legal writing, civil litigation, criminal law, family law, contracts, real estate, and professional ethics.

Associate degree students also complete an internship to gain practical experience in a legal environment.

Program Length

The associate degree requires 69 semester credits and is designed for completion in approximately 6 academic terms.

The professional certificate consists of 30 credits and can be completed in as few as 2 terms.

Cost

The college estimates the total cost of its associate degree at approximately $12,650, while the professional certificate costs around $5,600.

Financial aid may be available to qualifying students.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the college’s general admission requirements.

The professional certificate specifically requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Students must complete at least 25% of their legal specialty courses through Atlanta Technical College.

What Makes This Program Worth Considering?

Atlanta Technical College stands out for its ABA approval, practical internship experience, and two educational pathways.

Its location within Atlanta also makes it convenient for students interested in working with downtown law firms, government agencies, or corporate legal departments.

Emory Continuing Education offers a Paralegal Certificate designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to enter the legal profession without pursuing another college degree.

The curriculum consists of Introduction to Law, Civil Litigation, Legal Research and Writing, and Contract Law.

Students practice legal research using Westlaw, draft legal memoranda, and learn to prepare litigation documents.

Program Length

The program includes 75 instructional hours, typically completed over approximately 15 to 16 weeks.

Classes are conducted entirely online with live instructors, generally during evening sessions.

Cost

Tuition is $3,795, with an additional $25 application fee.

This brings the initial cost to $3,820 before any additional expenses.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and submit official college transcripts.

Previous legal experience is not required.

What Makes This Program Worth Considering?

Emory offers one of Atlanta’s more convenient options for college graduates seeking a career change.

Its relatively short duration, live evening instruction, and emphasis on practical legal research make it attractive to working professionals who want to enter the legal field quickly.

Georgia Piedmont Technical College offers an ABA-approved Legal Studies Associate of Applied Science degree, along with a post-baccalaureate technical certificate for students who already hold a four-year degree.

The curriculum includes legal research, legal writing, civil litigation, family law, criminal procedure, contracts, real estate law, and legal ethics.

Associate degree students also complete an internship that provides experience assisting attorneys with legal documents and case preparation.

Program Length

The associate degree requires 69 semester credits, typically taking approximately 2 years of full-time study.

The post-baccalaureate certificate requires 30 credits and can generally be completed in approximately 1 year, depending on course availability.

Cost

Georgia residents pay $107 per credit hour.

This places the associate degree’s base tuition at approximately $7,383 and the 30-credit certificate at $3,210, excluding mandatory semester fees, textbooks, and supplies.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the college’s admission standards.

Entry into the legal studies coursework requires completion of English Composition with a minimum grade of C, along with program orientation and advisement.

Certificate applicants must already possess a bachelor’s degree.

What Makes This Program Worth Considering?

Georgia Piedmont is an excellent option for students seeking an ABA-approved education at a relatively affordable price.

Its Clarkston location is convenient for residents of Decatur, Tucker, Stone Mountain, and eastern Atlanta, while the internship component provides valuable practical training.

Clayton State University offers three ABA-approved educational pathways: an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies, a Paralegal Studies Certificate, and a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies.

Students study legal research and writing, civil litigation, legal ethics, judicial procedures, and specialized areas of law.

Courses emphasize drafting legal documents and applying legal principles to real cases.

Program Length

The associate degree requires 60 semester credits and normally takes approximately 2 years.

The certificate requires 18 credits and is intended for students with previous college education.

The bachelor’s degree consists of 120 credits and typically takes 4 years.

Cost

For the 2026-2027 academic year, estimated undergraduate tuition for Georgia residents is $5,280 per academic year, plus approximately $1,116 in fees, based on full-time enrollment.

Actual costs depend on the number of credits taken and residency status.

Admission Requirements

The associate degree is available to students meeting general university admission requirements.

Certificate applicants must have an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or at least 60 college credits, including 18 credits of general education.

All paralegal and legal studies students must complete at least 9 legal specialty credits through live classroom or synchronous online instruction.

What Makes This Program Worth Considering?

Clayton State is particularly attractive because it offers multiple academic pathways with ABA approval.

Students can begin with an associate degree and potentially continue toward a bachelor’s degree.

Its online course options also make the programs accessible to working adults throughout the southern Atlanta metropolitan area.

Kennesaw State University’s Community and Professional Education division offers a Paralegal Certificate focused on Georgia law and practical legal office skills.

Students study civil litigation, contracts, criminal law, bankruptcy, family law, real estate transactions, estate planning, legal research, and law office technology.

Courses are taught by experienced legal professionals.

The program is available through in-person classes, live online instruction, or asynchronous online learning.

Program Length

Students complete 13 required courses in the classroom or live online format, or 12 courses through the asynchronous format, which combines the two legal research and writing courses.

All required coursework must be completed within 36 months.

Individual live courses commonly run for approximately 6 to 8 weeks, while asynchronous courses generally provide a 90-day completion window.

Cost

Most individual courses cost $299, while several advanced courses cost $399.

Based on the published course prices, completing all requirements costs approximately $4,187 before textbooks and any applicable discounts.

Admission Requirements

Students register for individual continuing education courses rather than a traditional degree program.

Familiarity with computers, word processing, and internet-based learning is expected.

Certain advanced courses require completion of introductory coursework.

What Makes This Program Worth Considering?

Kennesaw State offers outstanding scheduling flexibility for students who cannot attend traditional college classes.

Its Georgia-focused curriculum, evening instruction, and self-paced options are particularly useful for working adults in Kennesaw, Marietta, Acworth, and northern Atlanta.

Chattahoochee Technical College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Legal Studies and a shorter Legal Studies Diploma.

Both programs prepare students to assist attorneys with legal research, case documentation, litigation preparation, and law office operations.

Coursework includes legal ethics, legal research and writing, criminal procedure, family law, real estate law, civil litigation, and contracts.

Associate degree students also complete a 6-credit practicum or internship.

The Legal Studies program is delivered online, making it accessible to students throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Program Length

The associate degree requires 69 semester credits and generally takes approximately 2 years of full-time study.

The diploma consists of 39 credits and may be completed in approximately 3 to 4 semesters, depending on course scheduling.

Cost

Tuition for Georgia residents is $107 per semester credit.

Base tuition is approximately $7,383 for the associate degree and $4,173 for the diploma.

Mandatory semester fees, textbooks, and other educational expenses are additional.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the college’s general admission requirements, including submitting academic transcripts and completing any required placement assessment.

Students must also meet individual course prerequisites as they progress through the program.

What Makes This Program Worth Considering?

Chattahoochee Technical College is a strong choice for students looking for affordable, online paralegal training.

Its 39-credit diploma provides a shorter alternative to a full associate degree, while the 69-credit program includes more extensive legal coursework and a practical training component.