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The legal profession is a rewarding profession that offers a challenging career for those candidates who wish to pursue a career in this field.
More specifically, working as a paralegal may present a high degree of job satisfaction, as candidates are required to perform intricate, complex, and often very demanding tasks that require a degree of conscientiousness.
There are several paralegal programs available in the state of Delaware, from a certificate program to a master’s degree program.
The first step is to attend a school with an ABA-approved course that will help set candidates on the right path with the right education.
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become a Paralegal in the State of Texas
Paralegals are included in the State Bar of Texas membership and have developed standards for paralegals to enter the industry.
According to these standards, attorneys are requested to employ paralegals with one or a combination of the following entry-level qualifications:
- Four years of legal work done under a licensed attorney
- TBLS specialty certification
- A BSC or BA in any subject, 12 months of legal work performed under a licensed attorney, and 15 hours completed yearly of continued legal education
- Paralegal program from an accredited school
- Obtain national certification through the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) or the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
- Successful completion of an ABA-approved program
It is not mandatory that paralegals obtain certification in Texas.
However, there are voluntary certification options available through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Furthermore, it is important to note that the state of Texas does not require the licensure of paralegals in order to practice in the field.
5 Paralegal Schools in Texas
1. Amarillo College
Amarillo College is a two-year public institution and the school offers an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal studies.
The program is ABA-approved and the classes are offered on-campus.
The program can be completed over four semesters and comprises a total of 71-72 credit hours.
The curriculum is made up of both general courses and paralegal courses.
Classes are mostly offered in the evenings and over weekends.
However, general education classes are offered in both the daytime and the evening.
Classes start in the fall, spring, and summer.
Classes are taught by an experienced faculty and the school places emphasis on small class sizes to ensure better instruction and greater learning opportunities.
The average tuition at this institution starts at $2,100 per year for in-state students.
2. Kaplan College
Kaplan College is situated in Dallas, Texas, and offers a General Practice Paralegal Certificate.
The program is offered over 28 weeks and consists of 44.5 credit hours and a total of 600 contact hours that are offered on-campus and in-person.
The program is ABA-approved and classes are offered during the evening to accommodate students who work full-time.
In addition, students are required to complete an externship of 130 hours in order to graduate from the program.
The program prepares students for an entry-level position as a paralegal in the legal field in Texas.
Candidates learn a wide variety of skills that will prepare them for the working world.
Tuition per year is approximately $15,000.
3. Lone Star College
The school offers an advanced technical certificate in paralegal studies.
The course is offered at the North Harris campus, Houston, and is nine months long.
The program is ABA-approved and candidates should complete the 35-36 credits in order to graduate.
The pre-requisite to apply for this course is a complete bachelors or associate degree.
The course is offered on-campus and in person.
Students will need to complete a variety of paralegal courses in preparation for the working environment.
These courses may include civil litigation, legal research, rules of civil procedure, and advanced legal research and writing. In addition, the program includes a capstone.
Tuition for this program is $96 per credit for in-district, $214 per credit for out-of-district, and $269 per credit for out-of-state students.
The school also offers an Applied Associate Degree in Paralegal studies which may be completed over 4 semesters.
4. Lamar State College
This school offers an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal studies which may be completed over four semesters.
The program consists of 66 credit hours and has a mandatory internship which students will need to complete in order to graduate.
The program is ABA-approved and is available in two formats: on-campus and hybrid.
The program includes a variety of courses, such as criminal law, family law, civil litigation, legal document preparation, injury law, etc.
Tuition and fees for 15 credit hours are approximately $2035.00.
5. Texas A and M University
The school offers a bachelor’s of art and a bachelor of science degree in paralegal studies.
The program is ABA-approved and is predominantly offered online.
Candidates are required to complete the 120 credit hours in order to successfully complete the course.
Students are also required to complete 12 credit hours of foreign studies.
The course highlights paralegal fundamentals and prepares students for the working world through a range of general courses, paralegal courses, and specialized courses.
Tuition and fees for the program are calculated at $26,334.
Paralegal Schools in Texas – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Amarillo College | 2201 S Washington St #2411, Amarillo, TX 79109 |
| Kaplan College | 12005 Ford Road, Suite 100. City. Dallas, TX 75234 |
| Lone Star College | 4141 Victory Dr, Houston, TX 77088 |
| Lamar State College | 1500 Procter St, Port Arthur, TX 77640 |
| Texas A and M University | Administration Building, 400 Bizzell St, College Station, TX 77843 |
Salary
There are three salary ranges as candidates progress in this industry and in this field, with varying levels of experience:
- Entry level – $46,017
- Mid-career – $59,063
- Experienced – $73,629
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston | $61,824 |
| Dallas | $59,924 |
| San Antonio | $58,651 |
| Austin | $59,321 |
| El Paso | $52,757 |
| Fort Worth | $58,772 |
| Arlington | $58,676 |
| Corpus Christi | $56,613 |
| Plano | $59,667 |
| Garland | $59,795 |
Regional Salary in Texas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 70 | $58,980 | $28.35 | $88,840 | $36,630 |
| Amarillo, TX | 200 | $59,990 | $28.84 | $84,760 | $37,760 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 3,470 | $72,620 | $34.91 | $122,500 | $42,000 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 260 | $60,160 | $28.92 | $81,650 | $37,230 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 300 | $45,710 | $21.97 | $70,410 | $28,420 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 220 | $59,720 | $28.71 | $89,810 | $37,520 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 550 | $56,360 | $27.1 | $82,620 | $39,100 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 8,160 | $66,580 | $32.01 | $98,710 | $46,590 |
| El Paso, TX | 640 | $50,400 | $24.23 | $71,410 | $37,690 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 7,770 | $63,640 | $30.6 | $98,320 | $38,810 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 190 | $55,650 | $26.75 | $80,000 | $36,950 |
| Laredo, TX | 110 | $63,600 | $30.58 | $102,920 | $35,630 |
| Longview, TX | 100 | $59,270 | $28.49 | $80,560 | $36,300 |
| Lubbock, TX | 300 | $51,820 | $24.91 | $76,560 | $28,080 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 760 | $40,300 | $19.37 | $60,030 | $21,230 |
| Midland, TX | 100 | $68,720 | $33.04 | $102,260 | $37,890 |
| Odessa, TX | 90 | $62,940 | $30.26 | $87,700 | $39,940 |
| San Angelo, TX | 60 | $56,090 | $26.97 | $76,940 | $36,730 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 2,070 | $61,290 | $29.47 | $86,320 | $39,710 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 90 | $53,330 | $25.64 | $78,190 | $29,810 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 70 | $54,060 | $25.99 | $71,710 | $35,730 |
| Tyler, TX | 270 | $49,770 | $23.93 | $71,830 | $30,820 |
| Waco, TX | 160 | $58,620 | $28.18 | $81,260 | $38,000 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 60 | $55,980 | $26.92 | $80,190 | $37,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools offer an ABA-approved paralegal program in Texas?
There are 38 schools that offer this program in Texas but only one program is ABA-approved.
Can paralegals appear in court?
Paralegals may appear in court on behalf of an attorney and may also conduct research for an attorney.
Can paralegals give legal advice in Texas?
No, paralegals, much like notaries and legal assistants, are not licensed lawyers and may not give legal advice.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Paralegal
Paralegal Schools by State