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Brownsville offers aspiring paralegals opportunities to build careers in immigration law, criminal defense, family law, personal injury, and civil litigation.
Located along the U.S.-Mexico border, the city has a distinctive legal environment, with demand for legal support professionals in private law firms, government agencies, and organizations handling immigration and cross-border matters.
Students can pursue paralegal training at local community colleges or through certificate and degree programs throughout the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas.
Options include affordable associate degrees, American Bar Association (ABA) approved programs, and flexible online courses.
1 Texas Southmost College
Texas Southmost College offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies.
The curriculum covers legal research and writing, civil litigation, family law, criminal law, contracts, probate, real estate, and law office management.
Students also complete a cooperative education course that provides practical experience in a legal workplace.
The college offers a shorter Certificate of Proficiency in Legal Assisting that can serve as a stepping stone toward the associate degree.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 60 semester credits and typically takes 2 years of full-time study.
The curriculum is organized into four semesters.
Cost
The college’s published tuition schedule estimates $2,150 per 15-credit semester for in-district Texas residents.
A four-semester program would cost approximately $8,600 at that rate, excluding additional expenses and any tuition changes.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the college’s general admission requirements, including providing educational records and satisfying applicable placement requirements.
Students must earn a C or better in designated program courses.
Address: 80 Fort Brown Street, Brownsville, TX
2 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers a Paralegal Certificate through its Continuing Education division.
The program covers legal terminology, legal research, civil litigation, document preparation, and professional legal procedures.
Students learn to locate legal authorities, analyze cases, and prepare documents used by attorneys.
Classes are delivered live online through Zoom, providing structured instruction without requiring students to visit campus.
Program Length
The certificate takes approximately 8 weeks to complete, with evening and Saturday classes.
Students must attend at least 80% of the course and achieve passing grades on assignments and examinations.
Cost
Tuition is $2,495, excluding required textbooks and study materials.
The university also offers an Advanced Paralegal Certificate for students seeking additional training in specialized legal subjects.
That program currently costs $3,600.
Admission Requirements
The certificate is intended for adult learners, including individuals beginning their legal careers.
Previous legal employment is not required.
Address: Brownsville and Edinburg, TX (online instruction)
3 South Texas College
South Texas College offers a Paralegal Associate of Applied Science degree that prepares students to assist attorneys in private practices, government offices, and corporate legal departments.
Coursework includes immigration law, legal research and writing, criminal law, civil litigation, family law, contracts, and legal ethics.
Students complete a practicum and can pursue additional 12-credit occupational skills awards in Immigration Law or Family Law.
The associate degree is available entirely online.
Program Length
The program requires 60 semester credits and follows a two-year curriculum.
The Immigration Law and Family Law occupational skills awards each require 12 credits and are designed as shorter training options.
Cost
For 2026-2027, tuition is $164 per credit for in-district residents and $174 for out-of-district Texas residents.
The 60-credit degree costs approximately $9,840 to $10,440 in standard tuition and fees, depending on residency, before additional expenses.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet general college admission requirements and satisfy applicable Texas Success Initiative requirements.
Students must complete required coursework and the program’s practicum to graduate.
Address: McAllen, TX (online program available)
4 Del Mar College
Del Mar College offers an ABA-approved Paralegal Studies program leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree or an Advanced Technical Certificate.
The curriculum emphasizes legal research, legal writing, litigation procedures, professional ethics, and legal technology.
Students develop practical skills through document preparation, legal analysis, and simulated courtroom activities.
At least 9 credits of legal specialty coursework must be completed through synchronous instruction at Del Mar College.
Program Length
The associate degree generally takes 2 years of full-time study.
The Advanced Technical Certificate provides a shorter pathway for students who already have previous college education.
Cost
For fall 2026, the college lists tuition and standard fees of $1,750 per 15-credit semester for in-district residents and $2,500 for out-of-district Texas residents.
Additional expenses may include textbooks, supplies, and special course fees.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the college’s general admission requirements and satisfy applicable placement testing requirements.
Students applying for the advanced certificate should confirm its previous college education requirements.
Address: 101 Baldwin Boulevard, Corpus Christi, TX
5 Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers an online Certified Paralegal training course through its continuing education offerings.
The program covers legal research, legal analysis, litigation, contracts, criminal law, estate planning, legal ethics, and law office management.
Students use Westlaw and complete practical assignments involving legal memoranda, client interviews, case summaries, and document drafting.
The curriculum also includes preparation for the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal examination.
Program Length
The self-paced course includes 225 instructional hours.
Students receive 12 months to complete the program.
Cost
The program is available with an optional certification examination voucher.
The voucher-inclusive option is advertised at approximately $3,245, although promotional pricing may vary.
Admission Requirements
There are no formal prerequisites for course enrollment.
However, students should have a high school diploma or GED and basic computer skills.
Eligibility for the NALA certification examination is determined separately and may require additional education or professional experience.
Address: 700 University Boulevard, Kingsville, TX (online instruction)
6 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi offers an online Certified Paralegal program through its workforce training division.
The curriculum focuses on legal research, document drafting, case investigation, litigation procedures, legal ethics, and professional communication.
Students develop a portfolio containing legal memoranda, research assignments, client intake documents, and other materials commonly prepared by paralegals.
The course includes access to legal research training using Westlaw and preparation materials for the NALA Certified Paralegal examination.
Program Length
The program consists of 225 instructional hours and allows students up to 12 months to complete their studies.
Its self-paced online format enables Brownsville residents to participate without traveling to Corpus Christi.
Cost
The standard program costs approximately $2,495.
A separate option that includes a certification examination voucher is advertised at approximately $2,695.
Admission Requirements
There are no formal enrollment prerequisites, although a high school diploma or GED and basic computer skills are recommended.
Students seeking national certification must independently meet NALA’s educational or professional experience requirements.
Address: 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX (online instruction)
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Texas Southmost College |
|
#2 | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|
#3 | South Texas College |
|
#4 | Del Mar College |
|
#5 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville |
|
#6 | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi |
Salary by Metro Area in Texas
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 80 | $56,430 | $27.13 | $76,690 | $34,530 |
| Amarillo, TX | 190 | $60,230 | $28.96 | $84,580 | $34,950 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 4,390 | $70,870 | $34.07 | $100,460 | $44,200 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 220 | $56,540 | $27.19 | $81,330 | $35,640 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 320 | $51,030 | $24.53 | $78,850 | $28,910 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 180 | $57,750 | $27.76 | $80,630 | $36,500 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 410 | $56,960 | $27.38 | $81,720 | $38,110 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 8,320 | $68,520 | $32.94 | $100,920 | $38,730 |
| Eagle Pass, TX | 50 | $49,510 | $23.80 | $65,110 | $35,040 |
| El Paso, TX | 490 | $56,920 | $27.37 | $83,780 | $36,900 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 7,320 | $69,250 | $33.29 | $101,370 | $42,160 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 220 | $58,480 | $28.11 | $78,100 | $39,330 |
| Laredo, TX | 140 | $56,760 | $27.29 | $95,120 | $34,210 |
| Longview, TX | 140 | $53,130 | $25.54 | $76,620 | $34,590 |
| Lubbock, TX | 340 | $48,750 | $23.44 | $75,150 | $29,690 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 560 | $50,820 | $24.44 | $74,120 | $30,820 |
| Midland, TX | 100 | $67,780 | $32.59 | $102,940 | $37,020 |
| Odessa, TX | 100 | $59,410 | $28.56 | $79,840 | $39,970 |
| San Angelo, TX | 100 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 2,900 | $59,390 | $28.55 | $87,530 | $39,810 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 60 | $53,780 | $25.85 | $79,100 | $30,590 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 60 | $55,800 | $26.83 | $80,750 | $34,490 |
| Tyler, TX | 360 | $54,590 | $26.24 | $76,990 | $34,320 |
| Waco, TX | 250 | $57,710 | $27.74 | $76,400 | $39,600 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 50 | $51,240 | $24.63 | $65,660 | $36,030 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Paralegal
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