Center for Advanced Legal Studies (CALS) has specialized exclusively in the education of paralegals since 1987. Due to the ability of our graduates and the reputation and dedication of our faculty and staff, paralegal organizations and legal communities recognize CALS as experts in paralegal education.
Now, as throughout our history, we can assure our students, graduates, and their employers that the premier paralegal training provided at Center for Advanced Legal Studies meets and exceeds the requirements of the profession. It is like no other in quality, content, and career opportunity.
Center for Advanced Legal Studies is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Houston branch received license to operate from Texas Education Agency
Accredited by the Commission of Occupational Education Institutions - Division of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Authorized by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Approved to train veterans
Accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. COE becomes a freestanding accreditor.
Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA)
Approved to offer courses online. Hybrid program delivery commences
Requested voluntary withdrawal from the ABA after 15 years to provide its programs 100% online*
Only 19 of 265 eligible institutions were so honored.
| 1987 | Houston branch received license to operate from Texas Education Agency |
| 1987 | Accredited by the Commission of Occupational Education Institutions - Division of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools |
| 1992 | Authorized by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board |
| 1995 | Approved to train veterans |
| 1995 | Accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education |
| 1998 | Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) |
| 2009 | Approved to offer courses online. Hybrid program delivery commences |
| 2012 | Requested voluntary withdrawal from the ABA* |
| 2013 | 100% online paralegal programs commence |
| 2020 | Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
| 2024 | Bachelor of Arts: Law and Business program commences |
| 2025 | Voluntary withdrawal from Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (8/1/2025) |
| 2026 | Approved by the American Bar Association. ABA-Approved. |
* The American Bar Association (ABA) didn’t recognize synchronous learning platforms such as Zoom™, Blackboard Collaborate™, or Class for Teams™ as equivalent to classroom learning until January 1, 2020. Prior to 2020, the ABA required at least 10 semester credit hours to be taken in a traditional classroom setting, which made attending programs 100% online impossible.
Update: Center for Advanced Legal Studies is ABA Approved, effective February 12, 2026.
