Find your perfect college degree
The Bachelor’s in Paralegal degree program is one of the best degrees that involves helping others. Earning this degree unlocks various career opportunities in different settings, from hospitals and corporations to real estate and law firms. You can work as a tax preparer, claims adjuster, legal administrator, liaison, real estate paralegal, or nursing paralegal.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegals have an average annual salary of $60,970. The data also forecasts a growth of 4% in this field for the next decade.
If you want to earn a degree but don’t want to break the bank or alter your life, you can pursue an online bachelor’s degree program. These programs offer flexibility and accessibility, allowing you to study anytime, anywhere.
The Lowdown
Those who wish to work within the legal system may find becoming a paralegal to be a rewarding career path. The mission of this online degree is to provide you with as much information as possible about the paralegal profession so that you can better understand the career, its requirements, and its associated responsibilities.
To become a paralegal, you must meet set education and ethical standards first. And enrolling in the best online bachelor of Law and Paralegal Studies following your associate degree is a solid step towards achieving your personal and professional goals.
Methodology
Choosing the right online Paralegal education matters. And if you have a rank list to rely on, it is easier to find an excellent program for you!
We considered the following features in putting together a list of the best online Paralegal Studies programs and schools:
- May be offered entirely online or combined with in-person classes,
- Features coursework on the basics of Paralegal as a discipline, enabling students to contribute to the growth of the profession and prepare them either for a master’s program or a paralegal career,
- Develops students’ soft skills such as decision-making, critical thinking skills, problem-solving, leadership abilities, and communication skills,
- Offers federal financial aid, transfer credit programs, scholarships, grants, and tuition discounts to qualified hybrid and online Paralegal majors,
- Features instructors who hold a terminal degree in Paralegal Studies or are renowned for their professional expertise and experience,
- Regionally accredited to show compliance with academic standards.
To learn more about our ranking system, please visit our Methodology page.
Best Online Colleges with Online Degrees in Paralegal
Liberty University
Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies
With Liberty’s Online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Paralegal Studies, you can begin advancing your legal career immediately and land a paralegal job. This is a 100% online program with courses strategically conducted in 8-week accelerated formats.
You’ll start by learning the basic principles and methods of law. As you progress, you’ll study criminal law and procedure, which is crucial for paralegal careers. Here are the topics you’ll focus on:
- The legal system
- Covering courts
- Case law
- Statutes
- Legal research methods
You’ll explore various legal fields, including family law, criminal law principles, and business structures such as agencies and corporations. The program also examines the limits on law enforcement activities.
What Makes this Program Unique:
You’ll be immersed in advanced techniques of environmental research, enhancing your practical skills for analyzing complex data sets. Moreover, the curriculum explores the fundamental principles shaping policy-making processes, offering a comprehensive understanding of decision-making dynamics.
Did You Know?
Liberty’s online paralegal degree program is one of the first. In addition to learning the fundamental concepts that guide the government, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the range of legal fields practiced today, as well as practical legal writing and research skills essential for success in your career. Because of their solid academic foundation, adaptable online structure, and emphasis on faith, paralegal studies will give you the tools to graduate and complete the program easily.
Kent State University
Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal
Kent State University offers its College of Arts and Sciences – Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies online to attract more students in the field. All legal specialty electives except Patent Law are available online and in traditional formats to accommodate a variety of learning styles. A paralegal studies minor is also available to students pursuing a four-year baccalaureate degree.
If you’re from the following community colleges, you can expect an easy transfer process:
- Columbus State Community College
- Lakeland Community College
What Makes this Program Unique:
It combines a liberal arts foundation with legal specialty courses to give graduates analytical and legal research skills, knowledge of the legal system, communication skills, and practical hands-on experience. Students are equipped for success whether they remain general paralegals or pursue a specific area of expertise, thanks to its curriculum that heavily emphasizes current legal issues.
As future paralegals, you should be equipped to assist with lawyers for trials.
Did You Know?
A paralegal can be either a generalist or a specialist, depending on the area of law in which they practice. KSU takes pleasure in having original coursework pertinent to the legal industry’s most recent problems.
University of Cincinnati
Online Bachelor of Science in Law and Paralegal Studies
The University of Cincinnati offers one of the most flexible 100% online BS in Law and Paralegal Studies. This ABA-approved program allows you to study part-time, taking fewer than ten credits per semester. You can also accelerate your learning by enrolling full-time and maximizing the allowed per-semester credit hours.
You will thoroughly grasp legal principles, concepts, and terms and develop practical skills in legal research, writing, and analysis. You’ll acquire knowledge across different areas of law, such as civil litigation, criminal law, family law, and corporate law. By the end of this degree, you should be able to demonstrate proficiency in using legal databases, resources, and technology.
What Makes this Program Unique:
UC students receive personalized support and academic planning from academic advisors and student success coordinators. They can expect a tailored approach that addresses their educational goals and career aspirations, ensuring they are well-prepared for success during their studies and beyond graduation. As a result, the UC paralegal program has one of the highest job placement rates in the nation.
Did You Know?
Online students at UC have as many financial aid opportunities as their on-campus counterparts. Some sources of aid include institutional scholarships, FAFSA, military aid, and tuition reimbursements. This ensures that online students can pursue their educational goals without financial barriers, accessing the same support and resources to achieve academic success.
Eastern Kentucky University
Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal
Eastern Kentucky University’s Online Paralegal Science Bachelor’s degree is a 100% online program that helps students jumpstart a career in the field. In addition to a solid legal foundation, students graduate from the program with a thorough knowledge of the liberal arts.
Some of the topics covered in this degree are the following:
- Litigation
- Legal research
- Legal writing
- Criminal law
- Family law
- Probate practice
Graduates of the program are offered job placement assistance to help them succeed in their careers. The American Bar Association has approved EKU’s Online Paralegal Program. This online program is designed to produce excellent results for paralegal students.
What Makes this Program Unique:
EKU offers a very generous transfer credit policy. It’s one of the most sought-after degrees by transfer students, as it allows up to 90 hours of transfer credits. However, its transfer process is rigorous.
A specialty course will only transfer if the American Bar Association approves it. This process includes
- Matching course content and learning objectives.
- Reviewing and confirming the ABA approval of the course; the paralegal program director does this.
To verify the course content and ABA approval of a transfer course, the paralegal program director may ask the student to submit course syllabi, assignments, or other documentation. This program does not award credit based on portfolios or tests.
Did You Know?
The paralegal program at Eastern Kentucky University is one of around 260 that have obtained ABA approval out of more than 1,000 paralegal programs nationwide. ABA-approved programs must undergo a rigorous evaluation process to ensure they comply with the stringent requirements for program quality set out by the ABA.
William Woods University
Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies
William Wood University’s Online Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies is one of the oldest programs in the United States. This online degree can prepare you for various positions and industries through the convenience and adaptability of online education. Here are the key strengths of this online program:
- Students learn directly from experienced and committed faculty.
- Offers a curriculum focused on preparing students for National Association of Legal Assistants (or NALA) certification and National Federation of Paralegal (or NFPA) certification.
- Provides a program-based virtual internship.
- Offers LSAT-specific courses.
The course material seeks to give students a strong foundation in legal knowledge, critical thinking skills, business ethical understanding, and communication and interpersonal skills. They all enhance your ability to conduct yourself professionally in the legal industry.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Although the course material is online, students can still collaborate with peers and engage in a fictitious law office practice. The American legal system, offering legal services, using computers for legal purposes, and performing legal investigations and interviews are all study topics in this online degree. William Woods counsels students to focus on academics and cultivate a desire for knowledge.
Did You Know?
The William Woods online education program consistently ranks among the finest in the nation. Their flexible, 8-week courses provide start-and-stop flexibility, difficult content, and an educational environment focused on serving others. Additionally, they have affordable tuition.
Courses Taken in an Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal
Essential Skills for Paralegals
In this course, students study the legal system, including legal language. Students review actual court cases to prepare for client interviews and the categorization of the evidence. They also learn how to do legal research and draft summonses.
Legal Ethics
With Legal Ethics, students typically study lawyers’ and paralegals’ responsibilities. The topics discussed include pro bono work, access to justice, attorney-client interactions, conflicts of interest, and confidentiality.
Contract Law
This contract law course will help students learn what promises are enforceable under the law and why they are enforced. The course material includes extensive coverage of the fundamental theories, principles, and concepts of contract law.
The Legal Environment
In the legal environment, students learn the core skills needed to work in law offices, including maintaining client files and sorting all law documents. Professors also teach students how to access court records at the state and federal levels.
Torts
This course covers the policies and practices for recovering losses resulting from harm caused to a person’s property, assets, and other interests. Students learn the principles of tort claims as well as potential defenses.
Legal Systems and Terminology
This introductory course in paralegal teaches students the essentials of the legal system, including how to summarize, examine, and file court cases. The course covers the legal language that paralegals and attorneys regularly use.
Introduction to Paralegal Studies
This course introduces students to American law and the role of paralegals in the American justice system. The Introduction to Paralegal Studies discusses the organization of the civil and criminal justice systems, state and federal court structures, research and writing methodologies, and other topics.
Civil Litigation
The Civil Litigation course covers all aspects of civil procedure, including evidence, appeals, and pleadings. During the program, students learn how to perform legal procedures that law firms and government agencies require.
Possible Jobs for Paralegal Graduates
Legal Analyst
Legal analysts—who typically hold a bachelor’s degree—study the cases that their firms take on to assist a lawyer or legal team. They could be required to travel and put in a lot of overtime while assisting with complicated situations. They must be knowledgeable about both the law and the judicial process.
Median Annual Salary: $81,321
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals carry out their responsibilities under the supervision of attorneys. They investigate the case’s circumstances, seek relevant legislation, arrange papers, gather evidence, and provide reports. Even though only California governs paralegals, anybody can take the test to become a registered paralegal.
Median Annual Salary: $60,970
License Clerk
The government frequently employs court clerks, municipal clerks, and licensing clerks. They often work for a court in the judicial branch and frequently have secretarial experience. They commonly use word processing software. Therefore, they must be quick on the keyboard.
Median Annual Salary: $52,595
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Secretaries and administrative assistants answer phones, perform simple bookkeeping, maintain databases and files, edit documents, and plan staff meetings. They write laws, memos, and reports. They also organize timetables and make appointment plans.
Median Annual Salary: $46,010
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to finish an online Paralegal undergraduate program?
Students can finish an online paralegal bachelor’s degree in at least three years. Typically, though, most students finish it in four years. However, your bachelor’s education duration can be influenced by the number of credits you enroll in per semester. You have the Liberty to finish an online Bachelor’s in Paralegal at your own pace. But you can take credits during summer breaks if you want to expedite it.
What can I do with a paralegal studies bachelor’s degree?
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, you can work as a litigation paralegal, corporate paralegal, or legal assistant. Additionally, you can return to school to earn a higher degree. Either enroll in law school or get a master’s degree in legal studies to become a lawyer.
Is a Paralegal Studies program at the bachelor’s level worthwhile?
The cost of your program and the expected salary you will receive after graduation play a significant role in determining if an online degree is worthwhile. However, many graduates with a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies go on to successful and rewarding professions in the legal sector.
Are students who major in Paralegal Studies in demand?
There is a greater need for paralegals and legal assistants. Between 2022 and 2032, these jobs are expected to grow by 4%, adding more than 38,000 new employees, says the country’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Summary Points
- Online bachelor’s degrees allow students to jumpstart a career in the legal sector in pursuit of a position with a higher salary and more career opportunities.
- Paralegals assist attorneys with case planning, legal research, client interviews, fact-finding, information retrieval, drafting and analysis of legal documents, and gathering, compiling, and use of technical data.
- Most paralegals work for law firms, government agencies, and corporations with legal departments.
Additional Information:
