The Center for Advanced Legal Studies is only ABA approved and accredited college is Texas and Houston branch granted an operation license by Texas Education Agency.

1. PARALEGAL SCHOOL FEATURE www.lawcrossing.com 1. 800.973.1177
The Center for Advanced Legal Studies, Houston, TX
[By Devon Pryor]
According to their website, the Center for Advanced Legal Studies is “the only ABA approved and accredited college
in Texas that specializes in paralegal education.” The center was founded in 1981, in San Antonio, TX. In 1987, the
Houston branch of the center opened after being granted an operation license by the Texas Education Agency. In the
same year, the center was accredited by the Commission on Occupational Education Institutions Division of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools. The center went on to gain further recognition, including accreditation by the
Council on Occupational Education and approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in 1992 and the
American Bar Association in 1998.
Many other government organizations have already earned bachelor’s degrees. demonstrate 95% attendance and have GPAs
have since lent their support to the Center This comprehensive program ensures of at least 3.8, as well as by inducting only
for Advanced Legal Studies. The center that graduates will leave the center with 20% of students who meet these standards
is a member of the Texas Department the necessary skills and certifications into the honor society.
of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services to succeed in the paralegal profession.
(DARS), which works to provide disabled The school also offers a program for The Center for Advanced Legal Studies is
Texans and families with developmentally undergraduates who would like to earn located in central Houston’s Upper Kirby
delayed children equal opportunities for Associate of Applied Science degrees. The District, less than five miles away from
social participation and improved quality A.A.S. program prepares students to move various corporate plazas and minutes away
of life. Approval from the U.S. Department on to the paralegal certificate program and from Houston’s most prestigious law firms.
of Education has qualified the center to features specialty courses in immigration The school offers an externship program,
offer federal financial assistance, including law and criminal law, as well as training for which allows students opportunities to put
Federal PLUS Loans, Federal Stafford Loans, handling wills, trusts, and probates. General their education to work in all law-related
and Federal Pell Grants, among other forms education and computer courses are offered, business areas. Students gain imperative on-
of aid. The U.S. Department of Veterans as well, affording undergrads legal-based, the-job experience while forging reputations
Affairs has approved the training of veterans yet well-rounded, educations. with sponsoring companies, increasing their
at the center under various chapters of the chances of being hired upon graduation. The
Montgomery GI Bill, which allots veterans Particularly accomplished students are center also offers free lifetime placement
roughly $1,100 per month for three years recognized upon commencement with assistance for every graduate, which is just
of full-time enrollment, with the purpose of honor certificates awarded to those with one of a variety of student services.
providing training for post-military careers. perfect attendance records and 95% or
higher grade point averages. Through its Facilities at the Center for Advanced Legal
In addition to their notable achievements, the membership in the American Association for Studies include a library and computer labs
Center for Advanced Legal Studies maintains Paralegal Education, the center is permitted equipped with current versions of helpful
membership in numerous paralegal to offer students induction into the national computer programs, as well as other
organizations, including the American honor society Lambda Epsilon Chi, which resources to aid students in creating the
Association for Paralegal Education, recognizes superior academic performance types of legal documents they will need to
the National Federation of Paralegal by students pursuing paralegal/legal work with in their careers. Virtual tours of
Associations, Inc., the National Association assistant studies. According to the center’s the facilities are available on the center’s
of Legal Assistants, the paralegal division website, each school that offers induction website. Classes are offered within either a
of the State Bar of Texas, and the Houston into LEX, as it is commonly referred to, morning or evening program, in order to suit
Metropolitan Paralegal Association. devises unique requirements for eligibility. student needs.
The Center for Advanced Legal Studies
The center offers a paralegal certificate ensures that LEX membership remains The center publishes a quarterly newsletter,
program for incoming students who exclusive by requiring that inductees called In Brief, to inform readers about
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2. PARALEGAL SCHOOL FEATURE www.lawcrossing.com 1. 800.973.1177
events and news relevant to the paralegal profiles of key members of the center’s staff ON THE NET
profession. The newsletter is available online and stories about the center’s involvement
Center for Advanced Legal Studies
or by mail and features profiles of notable in community events. One such event is the
www.paralegal.edu/index.html
graduates, as well as testimonials from Houston Metropolitan Paralegal Association
appreciative alumni. Attorneys and judges Career Enhancement Symposium, an annual American Association for Paralegal
also have the opportunity to voice their educational, networking, and information- Education (AAfPE)
approval of the excellent students they have sharing event sponsored by the Center for www.aafpe.org
sponsored through the center’s externship Advanced Legal Studies.
In Brief
program. Also featured in the newsletter are
www.paralegal.edu/newsletter.html
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