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Education, Human Services & Law Options
Legal Studies
Do you want to help others and seek justice? Consider a career as a paralegal at Highline’s Legal Studies department. You will learn how the legal system works, how to find and apply laws, and how to write legal documents for lawyers and courts. You will also gain skills in legal software and develop the interpersonal skills that lawyers need in their paralegals. Earn an Associate in Applied Science degree, which includes general education classes, or a Paralegal Plus certificate if you already have a bachelor’s degree.
Legal Studies Degree Options
Paralegal Associate in Applied Science AAS
- Program Length: Two years for full-time students. (Full-time is 12 credits or more)
- Costs per year: $4,740 tuition and fees
- Program Map: Paralegal, AAS
- Catalog: Paralegal, AAS
Career
Our 2-year, American Bar Association (ABA)-approved Associate of Applied Science program is our standard program for students seeking a degree in paralegal studies.
The paralegal profession offers steady employment and competitive pay in the Seattle–King County region, especially for those with strong credentials, experience, or specialized skills. Training through a paralegal program can position you well to enter this workforce and pursue career advancement.
Salaries are, on average, much higher than the national median. The median salary in the King-Pierce County area for all paralegal professionals is $83,453, compared with the national median of $58,873 (Lightcast, 2025).
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law, as required by the ABA Guideline G-501.A.3 and Washington State Court Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) 5.3, General Rule (GR) 24.
Certificates of Achievement (45 credits and above)
Paralegal Plus Certificate C
Career
The Paralegal Plus certificate is a great opportunity to leverage an existing bachelor's degree. This program is open to all graduates of accredited bachelor's degree programs; it is not discipline specific. International bachelor's degrees may apply. Please consult an adviser to determine whether your international degree qualifies you for this program. A bachelor's degree plus paralegal credentials can open doors and may boost earnings of 10-12% (Lightcast, 2025).
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law, as required by the ABA Guideline G-501.A.3 and Washington State Court Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) 5.3, General Rule (GR) 24.
After Highline College
Highline College Paralegal students have opportunities to transfer to a number of Colleges and Universities with their AAS degree. The Evergreen State College is a great choice for graduates of the Highline Paralegal Program because you can transfer straight in with your AAS degree using Evergreen’s upside down degree program. Highline College's Bachelor of Science in Business Management is specifically designed for AAS students. Additional prerequisites may be required. An advisor can help you.
Top Transfer-To Institutions
- Highline College
- Evergreen State College
Get In Touch
| Department |
|---|
| Department Directory |
| Department Site |
| Location: Building 29 |
| Phone: (206) 592-4628 |
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To check current course offerings, check class schedule.
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