Paralegal Program

The paralegal degree program at Portland Community College teaches students to perform legal research, as well as drafting, investigatory record-keeping, and other administrative functions related to the legal system. Students who graduate the program will perform these functions under the supervision of an attorney or in a court and will gain instruction from the program in legal research, drafting legal documents, appraising, pleading, courthouse procedures, and other legal specializations. Get more details below including other Oregon colleges that offer paralegal program.

Learn more by requesting information now!

Portland Community College

Also known as Summit Salon Academy-PDX

8820 SW Center, Tigard, OR

Portland Community College (PCC), located in the Northwest Oregon area, is the largest higher education institution in the state of Oregon. PCC offers many different types of study programs, including traditional credit courses earned towards a two-year associate's degree or as part of a college-transfer program.  PCC also allows students to pursue dual enrollment programs, wherein they combine their PCC credits with those from other institutions.  Continuing education and adult basic skills programs are offered, as well as professional training and licensing for career advancement, among others.

History

Portland Community College was founded in 1961.   In 1968, a new college district was formed, the Metropolitan Area Education District, to include the school districts of Portland and five other counties.  The district's name was later changed to the Portland Community College District.   In the 1990s, PCC's Cascade and Rock Creek campuses were completed, along with the establishment of several of its centers.

Academics

Portland Community College's academic calendar follows a four-quarter format, with fall, winter, spring and summer terms.  Each term is roughly three months long.

There are 80 programs of study available at Portland Community College from many different departments.  Students can pursue programs for general studies, pre-college transfer, two-year associate's degrees, professional training certificates, improving English skills or earning a high school diploma.

Colleges and Schools

PCC doesn't have separate colleges and schools, but its many departments offer the following study areas:

• Agriculture, Forestry, Marine
• Architecture
• Business
• Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics
• Criminal Justice, Human Services, Public Administration
• Engineering
• Fine Arts, Arts
• Foreign Languages
• Health, Physical Education and Recreation
• Health Professions
• Home Economics, Family Studies
• Journalism
• Liberal Arts, Humanities
• Natural Sciences
• Social Sciences

Student Life

There are many student resources offered at Portland Community College's three comprehensive campuses, including online-distance learning options, academic advising, counseling, career advising, child care, student leadership opportunities, and more.

Athletics

The athletics program at Portland Community College is all about basketball.  Its Panther Basketball Program, which includes men and women's intercollegiate basketball teams, has the ambitious goal of winning an NWAACC conference championship.  Once it achieves this goal, PCC plans to transfer all its basketball players who are also graduating with an associate's degree to four-year universities as top student-athletes.  PCC wants its Panther student-athletes to continue their athletic and academic careers at the university level and beyond.

Satellite Campuses

Portland Community College has three campuses in and around the Portland area: Cascade Campus, Rock Creek Campus, and Sylvania Campus.  As part of its "Extended Learning Campus," PCC also has seven smaller centers that provide job training, specialized programs, and some college transfer courses.  These seven centers are:

• CLIMB / Central Portland (CPWTC)
• Hillsboro Center
• Newberg Center
• Portland Metropolitan (PMWTC)
• Southeast Center
• Willow Creek Center
• Downtown Center
• Columbia County

Community Life

The city of Portland, known as "the City of Roses," is 70 miles from the Pacific Ocean and situated along the Columbia and Willamette rivers. Portland's historic old town is adjacent, offering many galleries and museums, theatres, shopping, Waterfront Park and many more attractions to enjoy.  Not far from Portland are many outdoor attractions such as Hood River, Multnomah Falls, and Mount Hood.  There are more than 200 parks in the Portland area, and the excellent public transportation system makes most destinations accessible.

Students Enrolled in the Paralegal Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Portland Community College has offered the following programs for students:

• Less Than Two-Year Award
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Description

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, paralegals and legal assistants employment is expected to grow at a rate of 7.6% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
  • Total Employment: 2
  • Average Hourly Rate: $27.29
  • Average Annual Salary: $56770

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

Description

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, title examiners, abstractors, and searchers employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -0.3% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
  • Total Employment: 200
  • Average Hourly Rate: $30.22
  • Average Annual Salary: $62850

Legal Support Workers, All Other

Description

All legal support workers not listed separately.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).