Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Program overview

Instructor and student looking at a book together in the paralegal library

Photo by Samnang Lim

Our curriculum offers introductory courses that provide an overview of the U.S. legal system, as well as more in-depth electives in areas like family law, employment law, real estate, environmental law, and immigration law. Our program also provides practical legal skills training that will give you a competitive edge in the legal job market. Specialized skills training courses include interviewing and investigating, civil litigation, legal research and writing, and more. View our program outcomes and goals and learn about our American Bar Association (ABA) approval.

Experienced faculty

We believe that experience makes a difference. Some of our faculty have more than 30 years of experience practicing in the field. This experience means that students benefit from working closely with seasoned professionals who know the intricacies of the law as well as the everyday realities of the legal profession.

Career services

The Paralegal program offers counseling in career development that helps you to advance in your career. We provide frequent updates about paralegal employment opportunities. The program works to maintain ties with local law firms, legal nonprofits, government agencies, and corporations to ensure we are up-to-date about job openings, internship opportunities, training needs, and professional developments. We also provide in-depth cover letter and resume assistance in our courses and through PCC Career Services, to help you make a great first impression in the legal field.

Engaged students

Our students show their involvement through dedication and commitment. The Paralegal Club provides social and academic opportunities, as well as options for legal volunteer work and civic engagement. Our students have the opportunity to participate in practical-skill building cooperative education through our internship course, and in hands-on legal work under the close supervision of faculty attorneys through our legal clinic courses.

Department library

We are committed to providing you with the best possible resources. The paralegal learning library provides students the ability to perform legal research on campus and is a valuable resource for other paralegal courses. In addition, paralegal students are welcomed into our dedicated library space to study or take a break from studying.

New program developments

The Paralegal program remains active and current by conducting surveys of potential employers, graduates of the program, current students, and faculty to obtain feedback and evaluate our progress. Through consultation with the Paralegal Advisory Council, we implement program developments to enhance your educational and career-development experience.

Paralegals may not practice law and may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

The PCC Paralegal program requires each student to complete 14 credits of synchronous instruction. Synchronous instruction means students must attend a scheduled class meeting time each week.