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Charlotte is one of North Carolina’s leading legal and financial centers, offering aspiring paralegals opportunities in corporate law, banking, real estate, civil litigation, personal injury, and family law.
With major financial institutions, established law firms, and federal and state courts, the city provides a promising environment for individuals interested in building a legal career.
Students can choose from affordable community college degrees, university certificates, and flexible online training throughout Charlotte and the surrounding region.
Several programs also prepare graduates to pursue voluntary certification through the North Carolina State Bar.
1 Central Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College offers an American Bar Association (ABA) approved Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Technology and a post-baccalaureate Paralegal Technology Diploma.
The curriculum covers legal research, civil litigation, family law, real estate, commercial law, legal ethics, and law office technology.
Students can also choose electives in immigration law, intellectual property, and bankruptcy.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 68 credits and typically takes 2 years.
The 40-credit diploma takes approximately 1 year.
Cost
North Carolina residents pay $76 per credit hour.
Base tuition is approximately $5,168 for the associate degree and $3,040 for the diploma, excluding fees and textbooks.
Admission Requirements
Associate degree applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Diploma applicants must already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Address: 1201 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC
2 University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers a Paralegal Certificate through its School of Professional Studies.
The program covers legal research, legal writing, litigation, professional ethics, legal technology, criminal law, family law, and commercial law.
Classes are taught by experienced attorneys, judges, and legal professionals.
The certificate program is recognized as a qualified paralegal studies program by the North Carolina State Bar.
Program Length
The certificate takes approximately 25 weeks and includes 186 hours of live online instruction plus 73 hours of additional structured activities.
Evening classes typically meet twice weekly, with selected Saturday sessions.
Cost
Tuition is $5,500, excluding textbooks and required materials, which are estimated at approximately $650.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must possess an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution and provide college transcripts.
Address: https://www.charlotte.edu/
3 Gaston College
Gaston College offers a Paralegal Technology Associate of Applied Science degree and a Paralegal Office Management Certificate.
Students study legal research, civil litigation, criminal law, family law, legal ethics, and legal document preparation.
The associate degree is recognized as a qualified paralegal studies program by the North Carolina State Bar.
Program Length
The associate degree typically takes 2 years of full-time study.
The office management certificate provides a shorter option focused on legal office operations.
Cost
North Carolina residents pay $76 per credit hour, excluding mandatory college fees, textbooks, and supplies.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the college’s general admission requirements.
Students seeking eligibility for North Carolina paralegal certification must complete the required live-instruction coursework.
Address: 201 Highway US 321 South, Dallas, NC
4 South Piedmont Community College
South Piedmont Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Technology, a diploma, and two certificate pathways.
The curriculum includes legal research and writing, civil litigation, family law, real estate, corporate law, criminal law, and estate planning.
Classes are available through online and in-person instruction.
The associate degree is recognized by the North Carolina State Bar as a qualified paralegal studies program.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 69 credits and takes approximately 2 years.
The 39-credit diploma takes around 18 months, while the 17-credit and 18-credit certificates can be completed in approximately 1 year.
Cost
At the North Carolina community college tuition rate of $76 per credit, the associate degree costs approximately $5,244 before fees and materials.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet general college admission requirements.
The college lists no additional prerequisites for its standard paralegal degree, diploma, or certificate pathways.
Address: https://spcc.edu/about/the-south-piedmont-brand/
5 Davidson-Davie Community College
Davidson-Davie Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Technology.
Students learn legal research, legal writing, civil litigation, probate procedures, family law, real estate law, and law office management.
The program includes practical training in preparing legal documents, investigating cases, and assisting attorneys with legal research.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 66 credits and is designed for completion in approximately 2 years.
Cost
Tuition for North Carolina residents is $76 per credit hour, bringing the program’s base tuition to approximately $5,016.
The college estimates additional student fees of approximately $386.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet general admission requirements, including high school completion or an equivalent qualification.
Students must also satisfy course prerequisites and required academic standards.
Address: 297 DCC Road, Thomasville, NC (online instruction available)
6 Western Piedmont Community College
Western Piedmont Community College offers a Paralegal Technology Associate of Applied Science degree recognized as a qualified paralegal studies program by the North Carolina State Bar.
The curriculum covers legal research, civil litigation, legal document preparation, professional ethics, contracts, and legal office procedures.
Most coursework is completed asynchronously online.
Four courses use scheduled live evening webinars, allowing students to meet the program’s live-instruction requirements.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 68 semester credits and typically takes 2 years of full-time study.
Cost
At $76 per credit for North Carolina residents, base tuition is approximately $5,168, excluding college fees, textbooks, and materials.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the college’s general admission standards and satisfy any required placement or course prerequisites.
Address: 1001 Burkemont Avenue, Morganton, NC (online instruction)
7 Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute offers an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Technology, a Paralegal Technology Diploma, and specialized certificates in Family Law and Wills and Estates.
Coursework includes legal research, civil litigation, real estate law, contracts, professional ethics, and legal document preparation.
The associate degree is recognized as a qualified paralegal studies program by the North Carolina State Bar.
Program Length
The associate degree typically takes approximately 2 years.
The diploma offers a shorter route for students who already possess a college degree.
Cost
North Carolina residents generally pay $76 per credit hour.
Total tuition depends on the chosen program and required credits, with additional fees for textbooks and supplies.
Admission Requirements
Associate degree applicants must meet general college admission requirements.
The diploma requires an existing associate or bachelor’s degree, and students must complete at least 9 legal specialty credits through seated or live instruction.
Address: 2855 Hickory Boulevard, Hudson, NC
8 Forsyth Technical Community College
Forsyth Technical Community College offers a Paralegal Technology Associate of Applied Science degree, a diploma, and a shorter Legal Assistant Certificate.
The curriculum covers legal research, civil litigation, criminal law, family law, contracts, legal ethics, real estate, and law office technology.
The college’s associate degree and diploma are recognized as qualified paralegal studies programs by the North Carolina State Bar.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 66 credits and typically takes 2 years.
The 40-credit diploma is designed for students with a previous college degree, while the 16-credit Legal Assistant Certificate offers shorter introductory training.
Cost
At the standard North Carolina resident tuition rate of $76 per credit, base tuition is approximately $5,016 for the associate degree and $3,040 for the diploma.
Admission Requirements
Associate degree applicants must meet general college admission requirements.
Diploma applicants must already possess an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Address: 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC
9 South University
South University offers an online Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies designed to prepare students for entry-level legal support positions.
The curriculum includes legal research and writing, civil litigation, criminal law, family law, torts, estate planning, legal ethics, and legal technology.
Students also complete a supervised externship in a professional legal environment, such as a law firm, bank, real estate company, or government agency.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 92 quarter credits.
Students typically complete the program in approximately 2 years, depending on enrollment status and scheduling.
Cost
Tuition is charged according to the university’s online undergraduate tuition schedule.
Students should request a program-specific estimate that includes tuition, fees, and any required externship expenses.
Admission Requirements
Applicants generally need a high school diploma or GED and must satisfy the university’s undergraduate admission requirements.
Students should also confirm whether the online program meets their intended professional certification requirements in North Carolina, since completing an online degree does not automatically establish eligibility for North Carolina State Bar paralegal certification.
Address: Online program available to eligible Charlotte-area students
Schools Summary Table
Salary by Metro Area in North Carolina
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 590 | $60,290 | $28.99 | $77,670 | $46,190 |
| Burlington, NC | 110 | $55,260 | $26.57 | $71,240 | $37,440 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 4,140 | $66,200 | $31.83 | $99,530 | $43,160 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 890 | $61,690 | $29.66 | $89,720 | $46,280 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 420 | $57,500 | $27.64 | $74,400 | $37,970 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 80 | $51,240 | $24.64 | $62,710 | $33,280 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 860 | $58,740 | $28.24 | $77,250 | $38,180 |
| Greenville, NC | 200 | $49,340 | $23.72 | $63,790 | $35,960 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 200 | $51,240 | $24.63 | $73,490 | $32,070 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 210 | $55,360 | $26.61 | $78,850 | $36,460 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | 120 | $55,140 | $26.51 | $70,520 | $37,170 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 2,540 | $63,060 | $30.32 | $85,560 | $38,690 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 120 | $52,580 | $25.28 | $68,630 | $34,270 |
| Wilmington, NC | 580 | $56,840 | $27.33 | $75,600 | $40,090 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 830 | $55,240 | $26.56 | $75,040 | $38,840 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Paralegal
Paralegal Schools by City
Paralegal Schools by State