5 Best Paralegal Schools in Bakersfield, CA

California State University, Bakersfield offers an online Certified Paralegal training program through its Extended Education division in partnership with ed2go.

The curriculum covers the American legal system, legal terminology, professional ethics, legal research, litigation procedures, and legal document preparation.

Students learn to conduct client interviews, analyze legal issues, draft legal memoranda, and organize case materials.

The program also introduces students to Westlaw, a professional legal research platform, and guides on developing a resume and portfolio of legal work.

Program Length

The course includes 225 instructional hours, with students receiving 12 months of online access to complete the requirements.

Because the program is self-paced, students can progress according to their schedules.

Cost

Tuition is $2,875 for the standard online program or $3,150 for the version that includes a voucher toward the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal examination.

The program includes instructional materials and access to professional certification preparation resources.

Admission Requirements

There are no formal prerequisites to enroll.

However, students are encouraged to have a high school diploma or GED, basic computer skills, and strong English reading and writing abilities.

Students interested in taking the NALA certification examination must separately meet the organization’s eligibility requirements.

Completing this course alone does not automatically establish eligibility for national certification or satisfy every California paralegal qualification pathway.

What Makes This Program Worth Considering?

CSU Bakersfield provides a convenient option for residents who want to study without commuting or attending scheduled classroom sessions.

Its 225-hour curriculum, affordable tuition, and practical legal research assignments make it particularly appealing to working adults and career changers.

Cerro Coso Community College offers both an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies and a Paralegal Studies Certificate of Achievement.

Both programs are available entirely online, making them accessible to Bakersfield residents.

The curriculum includes legal research and writing, civil litigation, legal ethics, California civil procedure, legal document preparation, and client communication.

Students can also select specialized courses in bankruptcy law, criminal law, family law, personal injury litigation, law office management, and legal document assistance.

The certificate includes 18 credits of required coursework and at least 9 elective credits, allowing students to focus on legal subjects relevant to their career interests.

Program Length

The associate degree requires 60 semester credits and is designed for completion in approximately 4 semesters, or 2 years of full-time study.

The certificate requires 27 credits and generally takes 3 semesters.

Students can continue into the associate degree after completing the certificate.

Cost

California residents pay $46 per credit hour.

The associate degree costs approximately $2,760 in enrollment fees, plus an estimated $3,600 for books and supplies, bringing the college’s estimated total to $6,360.

The certificate costs approximately $1,242 in enrollment fees, plus an estimated $1,620 for books and supplies, for a total of $2,862.

Financial aid and fee waivers may be available to eligible students.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the college’s general admission requirements.

Students pursuing the associate degree must complete general education coursework, maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, and earn a grade of C or better in all major courses.

Certificate students must complete the required legal coursework with satisfactory grades.

Some advanced classes have prerequisites, particularly in legal research and civil procedure.

What Makes This Program Worth Considering?

Cerro Coso is one of the most practical choices for Bakersfield residents because it combines low California community college tuition with fully online instruction.

Students can choose between a 27-credit certificate and a 60-credit associate degree while studying California-specific legal procedures.

Its courses in personal injury, bankruptcy, and family law are particularly relevant to common areas of paralegal employment.

Antelope Valley College offers a Paralegal Studies Associate Degree and a Paralegal Studies Certificate designed to prepare students for employment in law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments.

The program covers legal research, legal analysis and writing, civil litigation, contracts, torts, family law, and professional ethics.

Students also receive instruction in legal technology and the preparation of documents used in California legal proceedings.

The curriculum includes specialized electives in real property, wills and trusts, probate, and criminal litigation.

Program Length

The associate degree requires approximately 60 semester credits, including 30 credits of paralegal coursework and general education requirements.

Full-time students can generally complete the degree in approximately 2 years.

The certificate requires 30 credits of legal specialty coursework and may be completed in approximately 1 year, depending on course availability and enrollment status.

Cost

California residents pay $46 per credit hour.

The associate degree’s base enrollment cost is approximately $2,760 for 60 credits, while the 30-credit certificate costs approximately $1,380.

Additional expenses include textbooks, student health fees, transportation, and other mandatory charges.

Financial assistance may be available through federal and state programs, including the California College Promise Grant.

Admission Requirements

Associate degree applicants must meet the college’s general admission requirements, which typically include a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificate applicants must already have an associate or bachelor’s degree that includes at least 18 units of academic subjects.

Students are expected to complete required paralegal coursework and demonstrate competency in legal research, writing, and professional ethics.

What Makes This Program Worth Considering?

Antelope Valley College provides an affordable educational option for students willing to attend a college outside Bakersfield.

Its curriculum emphasizes practical California legal procedures and offers both degree and certificate pathways.

The specialized coursework in litigation, family law, and real estate is particularly useful for students interested in working with small and midsize law firms throughout Southern California.

College of the Sequoias offers an Associate of Science in Paralegal designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in legal offices and related professional environments.

The program emphasizes practical legal research, document drafting, litigation procedures, case preparation, and professional communication.

Required courses include Introduction to Paralegalism, Legal Terminology, Civil Procedures, Legal Research and Writing, Legal Ethics, Business Law, and Business Communications.

Students can also choose electives in family law, real estate law, criminal law, constitutional law, and legal work experience.

The college works with members of the local legal community to provide professional mentoring and internship opportunities.

Program Length

The associate degree requires approximately 60 to 62 semester credits, including 30 credits of required major coursework, 7 restricted elective credits, and applicable general education requirements.

Full-time students can generally complete the program in 2 years.

Students attending part-time may need approximately 3 years or longer.

Cost

College of the Sequoias charges California residents $46 per semester credit.

Base enrollment fees for the degree are approximately $2,760 to $2,852, depending on the final number of credits required.

Students must also budget for textbooks, supplies, and the college’s mandatory health fee, which is $21 per fall or spring semester.

Eligible students may qualify for financial aid or the Sequoias Promise program, which can cover enrollment fees during the first 2 years of community college.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the college’s general admission requirements, which generally include graduation from high school or completion of a recognized equivalency examination.

Students must complete major and restricted elective courses with a grade of C or better, satisfy general education requirements, and maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.0.

At least 12 semester credits must be completed at College of the Sequoias to earn the degree.

What Makes This Program Worth Considering?

College of the Sequoias is a strong choice for students seeking affordable, career-focused paralegal education in the southern San Joaquin Valley.

Its combination of legal research, business communication, and litigation coursework provides a practical foundation for employment.

The opportunity to gain supervised work experience is another advantage for students entering the legal profession without previous office experience.

College of the Canyons offers an American Bar Association (ABA) approved Paralegal Studies program leading to either an Associate of Arts degree or a Certificate of Achievement.

The curriculum includes Introduction to Law, Contract Law, Tort Law, Legal Analysis and Writing, Legal Ethics, Legal Research, Legal Technology, Civil Litigation, and Family Law.

Students must also complete a paralegal seminar and supervised work experience to develop practical legal office skills.

Additional elective courses cover bankruptcy law, estate planning, workers’ compensation, and business organizations.

The program is available online through Zoom and Canvas.

At least 9 semester credits must be completed through live, synchronous instruction to meet ABA requirements.

Program Length

The legal specialty portion requires 31 semester credits.

The associate degree requires additional general education and elective coursework, bringing the total to approximately 60 credits or more.

Students can complete the associate degree in approximately 2 years of full-time study.

The certificate may be completed in approximately 1 to 2 years, depending on course scheduling.

Most students attend part-time, taking evening classes that generally meet once per week.

Cost

California residents pay $46 per semester credit.

The 31-credit paralegal certificate has a base enrollment cost of approximately $1,426.

The associate degree costs approximately $2,760 in enrollment fees for 60 credits.

These estimates exclude textbooks, student fees, and other educational expenses.

Financial aid may be available to qualifying students.

Admission Requirements

Students pursuing the associate degree must meet general college admission requirements and complete the required general education and legal specialty courses.

The certificate program is designed for applicants who already possess an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Students must complete the required legal courses, participate in an internship, and satisfy the program’s synchronous instruction requirement.

What Makes This Program Worth Considering?

College of the Canyons is an excellent option for Bakersfield residents who want an ABA-approved paralegal education without regularly traveling to Santa Clarita.

Its online evening classes, low community college tuition, and required internship combine academic instruction with practical experience.

The availability of specialized courses in California workers’ compensation and civil litigation makes the program especially relevant to students interested in working with personal injury, employment law, and litigation firms.