Legal Education in Pennsylvania
Law schools, paralegal programs, certifications, bar exam resources, and continuing education in Pennsylvania.
Law Schools
ABA-accredited JD programs in Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Ivy League law school ranked #6 nationally — interdisciplinary legal education with a mandatory 70-hour pro bono requirement. Located in Philadelphia's University City.
Temple University — James E. Beasley School of Law
Public law school in Philadelphia founded in 1895 — ABA-accredited since 1907. Offers full-time and part-time JD programs with strong trial advocacy training.
Drexel University — Thomas R. Kline School of Law
The first law school founded by a major research university in 30 years — home to the nation's only Thomas R. Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy. JD completable in two or three years.
Villanova University — Charles Widger School of Law
Private law school founded in 1953 — located 12 miles west of Philadelphia. Five JD concentrations including business law, health care, IP, litigation, and sports law.
University of Pittsburgh School of Law
Public law school in Pittsburgh preparing attorneys since 1895. Seven specialized areas of study including international law, environmental/energy, and health law.
Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
Private law school founded in 1911 on a bluff overlooking downtown Pittsburgh. Named a "Best Value Private Law School" by PreLaw Magazine — features the only evening JD program in Pittsburgh.
Penn State Dickinson Law
Pennsylvania's oldest law school, founded in 1834 — one law school with campuses in Carlisle and University Park. Strong emphasis on experiential learning and public service.
Widener University Delaware Law School
Located in Wilmington with proximity to corporate headquarters of most Fortune 500 companies. Ranked among top-5 nationally for state and local clerkships — six active law clinics.
Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Located in Pennsylvania's capital, Harrisburg — became an independent ABA-accredited law school in 2015. Emphasizes personal, practical, and professional legal education.
Paralegal Programs
Accredited paralegal education and certificate programs
Peirce College — Paralegal Studies
The only ABA-approved paralegal bachelor's degree program in the Philadelphia region. Offers AS, BS, and post-baccalaureate certificate options in paralegal studies.
Villanova University — Paralegal Certificate
ABA-approved professional certificate program with over 30 years of paralegal education — preparing career changers and working professionals for paralegal roles.
Central Pennsylvania College — Paralegal
ABA-approved associate degree in paralegal studies — practical, career-focused curriculum in the Harrisburg metropolitan area.
Bucks County Community College — Paralegal Studies
ABA-approved paralegal studies program also accredited by ACBSP — community college option in the suburban Philadelphia region.
Court Reporter & Captioning Programs
Stenography, digital reporting, and real-time captioning training
Community College of Allegheny County — Court Reporting
Two-year AS degree program in stenographic court reporting — graduates work as judicial reporters, freelance reporters, closed captioners, and CART providers.
Luzerne County Community College — Court Reporting & Captioning
AAS degree program qualifying students for entry-level court reporting in federal, state, and county courts — also prepares for freelance and broadcast captioning careers.
Pennsylvania Court Reporters Association
Statewide professional organization for court reporters — lists PA court reporting programs, certification resources, and continuing education opportunities.
Mediator & ADR Certification
Alternative dispute resolution training and qualified neutral roster
Pennsylvania Council of Mediators
Statewide organization promoting mediation as a dispute resolution method. Recommends a minimum of 22 hours of basic mediation training — provides mediator directory and professional development.
Berks County Bar Association — ADR Program
Local bar association ADR program that has certified mediators and arbitrators since 1997 — offers mediation certification training for attorneys and non-attorneys.
Legal Nurse Consulting
Certification programs for RNs providing litigation support
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College — Legal Nurse Consulting
Online legal nurse consulting course for RNs — covers litigation support in medical malpractice, personal injury, and workers' compensation cases.
Commonwealth University of PA — Legal Nurse Consultant Training
Online certificate program through CLS by BARBRI — builds on clinical nursing experience to prepare RNs for legal consulting roles in medical-legal litigation.
American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC)
National professional organization offering the LNCC certification — the only legal nurse consultant credential accredited through ABSNC.
Notary Public Certification
How to become a notary public in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of State — Notary Public
Official notary application portal. Requirements: 18+, PA resident or employed in-state, complete a 3-hour education course, pass the Pearson VUE exam, obtain a $10,000 surety bond. Four-year terms.
Pennsylvania Department of State — Mandatory Education Requirement
Details on the mandatory 3-hour notary education course — must be completed within six months prior to application for both new commissions and renewals.
Bar Admission & Exam
Pathways to becoming a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners
Established in 1902 — administers the Pennsylvania bar exam and oversees attorney admission. Pennsylvania uses the UBE with a minimum passing score of 270.
Pennsylvania UBE Information
Detailed UBE exam format, scoring, and score transfer rules. UBE scores transferable within 30 months — MPRE minimum score of 75 required.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Requirements for licensed Pennsylvania attorneys
Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board
Official CLE regulatory board — attorneys must complete 12 CLE credits annually (including 2 ethics). Six credits must be live or live-online; up to 6 may be pre-recorded.
Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI)
Gold-standard CLE provider for Pennsylvania attorneys — seminars, webinars, and on-demand programs covering all practice areas and specialties.
Legal Secretary & Legal Assistant Programs
Certificate and degree programs for legal support professionals
Penn Foster — Legal Secretary Career Diploma
Online career diploma program covering legal terminology, document preparation, records management, and office technology — self-paced and nationally accredited.
Commonwealth University of PA — Legal Secretary Certificate
Intensive online certificate covering legal terminology, process, ethics, written communications, billing, and legal research — designed for both beginning and experienced legal assistants.
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