Paralegal
449-hour paralegal program building job-ready skills in legal research, writing, discovery, and litigation support.
5959 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite #110, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Open/rolling enrollment; new classes form every month; students may start at any time
No experience required
Program Philosophy
NIU College was founded to make quality career training accessible to working adults priced out of traditional private career colleges. Its mission is to help students achieve occupational and financial stability through reasonably priced, hands-on education. Programs emphasize small classes (fewer than 20), flexible morning/evening/weekend schedules, real-world externships, certification prep, and free career-placement support so graduates enter the workforce quickly without heavy student debt.
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Aspiring paralegals seeking broad legal skills for law-firm support roles
Monday - Thursday, evening live classes, 6:00 pm-10:00 pm, real-time online (hybrid); 449 clock hours delivered across seven college-level modules, concluding with a law-firm-style practicum.
Job-ready paralegal skills: legal research/writing, discovery, and a summary-judgment practicum
Cost & Outcomes
The program costs $6,950 total, covering tuition, registration, and books. Qualifying students can offset part or all of the cost through outside funding by visiting their local American Job Center to check their eligiblity for a federal WIOA grant for the unemployed, the California Department of Rehabilitation for people with disabilities, and Workers' Compensation retraining vouchers for injured workers. Otherwise, students can pay in full, use an in-house monthly installment plan, or take a third-party private loan. NIU College is not eligible for federal or state financial aid.
Who This Program is Built For
This program was specifically designed with these communities in mind. If you see yourself, you belong here.
What Sets This Program Apart
Broad coverage across contracts, torts, personal injury, and intellectual property
Three college-level modules mixing theory with practical drafting and research
Capstone practicum: students prepare a Motion for Summary Judgment in a simulated law firm
Taught by a practicing attorney (JD) with 20+ years of teaching experience
Offered in person or live online to fit working schedules
Day in the Life
- Live lecture on a legal practice area (e.g., contracts, torts, litigation)
- Review of statutory authority and case law
- Practical drafting: complaints, answers, memoranda, discovery
- Progress toward the Motion for Summary Judgment practicum
Maryann Antunez, JD (2018), holds a paralegal degree and an M.Ed. and has 20+ years teaching law - torts, contracts, criminal, real estate, constitutional law, legal writing, research, and discovery.
Soft and technical skills you'll gain by program completion.
Highs & Lows
Adapting to college-level legal reading and the volume of drafting and research across three modules.
Completing the capstone practicum by preparing a real Motion for Summary Judgment in a law-firm-style setting.
Employment Support
Career development course covering resume writing, job search, and interview skills
Mock interviews and coaching on professional presentation
Placement coordinator assists graduates with job referrals and resume exposure
Free job placement services available for up to 5 years after graduation
Externship placement with local employers built into most programs
How It Works
Submit the inquiry form at https://www.niucollege.edu/paralegal or call 818-347-9400
Meet with an admissions advisor for a consultation and campus tour
Provide proof of high school completion (diploma/GED/transcript), a government photo ID, and Social Security card; take the CELSA English assessment if needed
Review the School Performance Fact Sheet and sign the enrollment agreement
Arrange tuition payment or financing (cash, in-house installment plan, WIOA/workforce funding, or third-party loan)
Begin classes on the next available monthly start date
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to contact us.People without a high school diploma, 'Ability-to-benefit applicants,' may qualify by passing an approved exam. A CELSA English assessment score of 37 out of 75 is required to demonstrate English proficiency.
Foreign diplomas must be translated and evaluated by NACES or AICE.
Depending on the program, training takes anywhere from 3 weeks to 9 months, including an externship.
Yes. Classes are offered mornings, afternoons, evenings, and some weekends to fit working schedules.
NIU College does not participate in federal or state financial aid, but offers low tuition, payment plans, WIOA/workforce funding, and grants for those who qualify.
Yes. The placement coordinator helps graduates with resume writing, interview prep, and job referrals for up to 5 years after graduation.