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Charleston offers aspiring paralegals opportunities in real estate law, civil litigation, family law, personal injury, maritime law, and corporate legal services.
With a growing business community, federal and state courts, and numerous established law firms, the city provides an attractive environment for beginning a legal career.
Students can choose from affordable community college degrees, American Bar Association (ABA) approved programs, and flexible online certificates.
Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina region offer several options for both first-time students and professionals looking to change careers.
1 Trident Technical College
Trident Technical College offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies and a Paralegal Certificate.
The curriculum covers legal research, legal writing, civil litigation, criminal law, family law, contracts, real estate, and professional ethics.
Students also complete practical assignments involving legal documents and case preparation.
Program Length
The associate degree requires approximately 63 credits and typically takes 2 years.
The certificate requires 39 credits and is intended for students with previous college education.
Cost
For 2026-2027, tuition is $200 per credit for Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester County residents.
The 63-credit degree has an estimated base tuition of $12,600, before registration fees and financial aid.
Admission Requirements
Associate degree applicants must meet general college admission requirements.
Certificate applicants need an associate degree or qualifying previous college credits, including general education coursework.
Address: 7000 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC
2 Technical College of the Lowcountry
Technical College of the Lowcountry offers an ABA-approved Paralegal Associate of Applied Science degree and a Paralegal Specialist Certificate.
Students study civil litigation, legal research, family law, property law, contracts, probate, and legal ethics.
The associate degree includes an internship and capstone course.
Program Length
The associate degree requires approximately 67 credits and can be completed in 5 full-time semesters.
The certificate offers a shorter pathway for students who meet its educational prerequisites.
Cost
The college’s published program estimate lists $14,338 in base tuition for the associate degree, using its earlier in-service-area rate of $214 per credit.
Current charges may differ, particularly for Charleston County residents.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet general college admission standards, submit academic transcripts, and satisfy placement requirements.
Students must complete at least 9 legal specialty credits through synchronous instruction.
Address: 921 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC
3 Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Horry-Georgetown Technical College offers an ABA-approved Paralegal Associate of Applied Science degree and a Paralegal Specialist Certificate.
Coursework includes legal research, civil litigation, family law, contracts, real estate, probate, and law office management.
Live online classes are available, although the degree includes an internship that requires practical participation.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 66 credits, typically completed in approximately 2 years.
The 36-credit certificate can be completed in 3 semesters.
Cost
For 2026-2027, out-of-county South Carolina residents pay $223 per credit.
The associate degree’s estimated base tuition is $14,718, before additional fees.
Admission Requirements
Associate degree applicants must meet general college admission requirements.
Certificate applicants must already hold an associate or bachelor’s degree and satisfy general education requirements.
Address: 2050 Highway 501 East, Conway, SC (program offered at Grand Strand campus)
4 Central Carolina Technical College
Central Carolina Technical College offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies.
Students receive training in legal research, document drafting, civil litigation, criminal law, legal ethics, and law office administration.
The curriculum prepares graduates for positions in law firms, courts, government agencies, and corporate legal departments.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 66 semester credits and generally takes approximately 2 years of full-time study.
Cost
The college’s published out-of-service-area tuition rate for South Carolina residents is $227 per credit.
At that rate, the 66-credit program costs approximately $14,982 before additional fees and financial assistance.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet general admission requirements.
Students must earn a C or better in all legal specialty courses and complete at least half of those courses through Central Carolina Technical College.
Address: 506 North Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC
5 Florence-Darlington Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies.
The program covers legal research, legal writing, litigation, torts, family law, property law, and professional ethics.
Students develop skills in preparing legal documents, assisting with investigations, and managing case files.
Program Length
The associate degree requires approximately 2 years of full-time study, depending on course availability and individual scheduling.
Cost
South Carolina residents living outside Florence, Darlington, and Marion counties pay $196 per credit hour under the published tuition schedule.
Additional college fees and textbooks are not included.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy general college admission requirements and complete any required placement assessments.
Legal specialty transfer credits are subject to program review and restrictions.
Address: 2715 West Lucas Street, Florence, SC
6 University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina offers a Paralegal Studies Certificate through its Continuing Education division.
The program covers an introduction to law, torts, civil litigation, legal research and writing, contracts, and family law.
Students practice preparing legal memoranda and researching South Carolina legal procedures using Westlaw.
Classes are conducted live online by practicing attorneys.
Program Length
The certificate includes more than 120 instructional hours and takes approximately 6 months.
Evening classes generally meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
Cost
Tuition is $6,000, including electronic textbooks, instructional materials, and temporary access to Westlaw.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or at least 4 years of professional work experience.
Students must earn at least 70% in each module and 75% overall to receive the certificate.
Address: 1600 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC (fully online instruction)
7 Midlands Technical College
Midlands Technical College offers an ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science degree and an Academic Certificate.
The curriculum covers legal research, civil litigation, legal ethics, business law, property law, family law, and law office management.
Students can attend traditional classroom sessions, live virtual classes, or other online coursework, depending on scheduling.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 61 credits and generally takes 2 years.
The 24-credit certificate can be completed in 2 semesters of full-time study.
Cost
The estimated program cost is $12,566 for the associate degree and $4,944 for the certificate, excluding certain fees and equipment.
Admission Requirements
Associate degree applicants must satisfy general college admission requirements.
Certificate applicants must already possess a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students must earn a C or better in legal courses and complete at least 9 credits through synchronous instruction.
Address: 1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia, SC
8 Greenville Technical College
Greenville Technical College offers an ABA-approved Paralegal Associate of Applied Science degree.
Students study legal research, civil litigation, family law, contracts, property law, wills and trusts, and legal ethics.
The program is available remotely, combining online coursework with scheduled live virtual instruction.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 64 credits and typically takes 5 semesters.
Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree can choose an accelerated 43-credit pathway that may be completed in approximately 1 year.
Cost
Tuition varies by residency and course load. Under the college’s 2026-2027 schedule, out-of-county South Carolina residents pay higher tuition than Greenville County residents. Financial aid and eligible workforce scholarships may reduce expenses.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED.
Accelerated pathway applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree and provide official transcripts.
Address: 506 South Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, SC (remote instruction available)
9 Lander University
Lander University offers a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies designed for students interested in advanced legal education.
The curriculum emphasizes legal research, writing, analytical reasoning, professional ethics, and legal practice.
Students can complete the program online or attend classes at the university’s Greenwood campus.
Lander also offers transfer pathways from several South Carolina technical colleges.
Program Length
The bachelor’s degree generally requires 4 years of study.
Students transferring an associate degree or approximately 60 college credits may complete the remaining requirements in about 2 years.
Cost
For the 2026-2027 academic year, full-time undergraduate tuition for South Carolina residents is $10,700 annually, plus approximately $1,000 in general fees.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet undergraduate transfer admission requirements.
The program normally expects at least 12 credits of previous legal specialty coursework, preferably including legal research, writing, and ethics.
Address: 320 Stanley Avenue, Greenwood, SC (online instruction available)
Schools Summary Table
Salary by Metro Area in South Carolina
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 1,490 | $58,570 | $28.16 | $79,920 | $40,330 |
| Columbia, SC | 1,790 | $56,930 | $27.37 | $75,900 | $39,490 |
| Florence, SC | 210 | $51,340 | $24.68 | $71,560 | $36,260 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 1,600 | $56,900 | $27.36 | $76,180 | $39,060 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | 300 | $57,070 | $27.44 | $77,590 | $44,470 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | 500 | $51,910 | $24.96 | $63,130 | $36,900 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 280 | $55,890 | $26.87 | $74,890 | $38,980 |
| Sumter, SC | 90 | $50,570 | $24.31 | $67,200 | $37,540 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Paralegal
Paralegal Schools by City
Paralegal Schools by State