Here is a comprehensive list of the top 50 Online Paralegal Degree Programs. Please follow along to get started on this amazing career!
Getting ahead in the fascinating legal field without attending law school for three years or even commuting to a college campus is simplified thanks to online paralegal degrees. Paralegal programs at the associate and bachelor’s levels prepare undergrads for assisting attorneys on cases behind the scenes. Labeled a “high-demand field” by Amazon, paralegal studies graduates will find positions growing by 10% by 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to the U.S. News, America’s 279,500 paralegals hold the 15th top social services job with low unemployment at 2.8 percent. CNN Money even recognized corporate paralegals for the 60th best job overall with median pay at $71,500.
Online paralegal training can be the perfect start to this hiring, profitable career where personal satisfaction is high, stress is low, and telecommuting is possible. The typical education path for a paralegal is usually either a certificate program or an associate’s degree, and both have become widely available in the last decade – so much so that an online paralegal program is becoming the norm, rather than the exception.
Methodology: Ranking the 50 Best Online Paralegal Programs
The editors of Online Paralegal Programs have researched the wide variety of online paralegal programs across the US, including both certificates and associate’s degrees. Only accredited, trusted institutions were chosen, and programs are ranked by their tuition rate, student satisfaction, and graduate salary, according to IPEDS and Niche data.
Sponsored Paralegal Programs
1. Duke University
Duke University Continuing Studies offers one of the nation’s best online paralegal programs. Duke University’s Paralegal Certificate program requires applicants to hold a two-year associate’s degree when applying. Students enrolled in Duke’s paralegal certificate program must complete the coursework within one year, although the program is delivered as a self-paced certificate. This paralegal program has been developed with a national student audience in mind and is offered in two primary parts – the essential skills portion and the substantive course portion.
Established as the Brown School in the late 1830s, Duke University is a preeminent research university with the main campus in Durham and international locations across the globe. The school’s student enrollment exceeds 15,550 undergraduate and graduate students each year. Duke’s alumni include more than one dozen billionaires and a US president.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
2. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The Teaching & Learning Connection at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers a Paralegal Certificate program that is recognized to be one of North Carolina’s best online paralegal programs. Graduates of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s paralegal certificate are eligible and qualified to sit for the North Carolina state bar paralegal certification. Classes for this paralegal certificate program include legal ethics, the paralegal profession, intro to American Jurisprudence, legal writing, legal technology, and litigation, to name a few.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public school that was established in the mid-1940s. More than 30,050 students attend classes offered online and on the Charlotte campus. The University of North Carolina @ Charlotte has recently seen tremendous growth and is now the largest higher learning institution in the Charlotte, NC, greater metro area.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
3. University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley Extension offers a certificate in a paralegal program that is one of California’s best online paralegal programs. The University of California’s online paralegal certificate can be completed in as few as six months, but many finish in one year. Classes for this paralegal certificate program include foundational skills, e-discovery process/practice, family law, paralegal contract law, intellectual property law, the principles of business law, and essential paralegal research and writing, to name a few.
The University of California, Berkeley is the Golden State’s first school opened under the terms of the Morrill Act in 1868. Berkeley is ranked among the top schools in the nation and across the globe. The college-town campus is home to nearly 12,000 students. Athletes representing the University of California are known as the Golden Bears, with more than 100 Olympic medals earned by students & alumni.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
4. University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas’s Center for Professional Education offers a paralegal certificate program that can be finished in only five months. Students enrolled in the University of Texas‘s best online paralegal programs complete coursework in these relevant topics – contract law, tort law, Texas Civil procedure/evidence, and essential skills for paralegals, among others. Graduate of the University of Texas‘s paralegal certificate program receives a free one-year membership and mentorship from the Capital Area paralegal Association of Texas.
The University of Texas at Austin (UT-A) is the Lone Star State’s flagship campus and a senior member of the state’s university system. This space-grant school’s Austin campus and online platform serve more than 50,750 students each year. Austin’s campus of the University of Texas is recognized to be one of the few public ivy schools – offering ivy league education at public school tuition prices.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
5. Rice University
Rice University’s Glasscock Continuing Studies School offers a paralegal certificate program that has been ranked among the best online paralegal programs in Texas. Applicants to Rice University’s paralegal program must already have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Classes included in Rice University’s paralegal certificate program include legal analysis, federal court structure, court rules, discovery preparation, arbitration, deposition preparation, online legal research skills, and pleading preparation, to name a few.
Rice University (RU), more formerly known as William Marsh Rice University, is a private school in south Texas that was founded in 1912. More than 7,140 students attend classes offered by Rice University online and on-campus. Rice University is recognized for its applied sciences programs and a space-grant school with close ties to the nearby space center.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
6. Rutgers University
Rutgers University’s Center for Continuing Professional Development offers a paralegal certificate program that offers students a no-cost membership with the National Association of Legal Assistants, including access to the Certified Paralegal exam. As one of New Jersey’s best online paralegal programs, Rutgers University’s paralegal program includes legal analysis, legal research, tort law, and product liability, contracts & property law, family law/estates, and criminal law, plus a culminating capstone project to name a few.
Established as Queen’s College in the 18th century, Rutgers University is now New Jersey’s state university and one of the original colonial colleges in the United States. The school maintains three main campuses in North and Central New Jersey that serve nearly 70,000 students each year. Rutgers University is a land, sea, and space-grant school and the largest higher learning institution in the Garden State.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
7. University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis’ Professional & Continuing Education offers a paralegal certificate program that offers a starting date at any time. As one of California’s best online paralegal programs, the University of California @ Davis’ paralegal certificate has been approved by the university’s law school and can be completed in only six months. Students enrolled in the University of California‘s paralegal program are required to complete 21 quarter credits in classes like citation forms, specifics of evidence, interviewing, and client correspondence, to name a few.
The University of California (UC @ D) was established as a farm school in 1905. It is the northernmost member school of the state’s university system, with nearly 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year. The veterinary school within the University of California is recognized among the largest in the country and ranked a global leader for many years in a row.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
8. James Madison University
James Madison University’s Professional and Continuing Education offers a Paralegal Studies Certificate (PSC) program that has been developed to fit the working adult limited time commitment. Classes for this program – one of Virginia’s best online paralegal programs include civil litigation, contract law, legal research/writing, and contract law, to name a few. Graduates of this certificate program find rewarding careers in the field of litigation, real property law, immigration, or corporate law, to name a few.
James Madison University (JMU) has been operating with the motto ‘Knowledge is Liberty’ since 1908, the year it was established as an all-women’s normal school to train teachers for nearby students. The university’s Harrisonburg campus (in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley near Massanutten Mountain) and online platform serve nearly 23,000 graduate and undergraduate students each year. James Madison University has been recognized to be among the top public schools in the southern region of the U.S.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
9. Boston University
Boston University offers a paralegal certificate program that offers students the capability of completing the certificate in only fourteen weeks. Boston University’s best online paralegal programs include coursework that covers legal technologies, probate/family law, legal research, business law, litigation, and legal writing & reasoning, to name a few. Graduates of Boston University’s paralegal certificate program find rewarding work in law firms, government agencies, court systems, or working as a freelancer, to name a few.
Boston University was founded in Vermont by United Methodists in the late 1830s. The school’s campus was move about three decades later to its home in back bay Boston, along the Charles River. More than 34,460 students attend classes each year at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Boston University’s athletes represent the school as Terriers and have won several national championships in men’s ice hockey.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
10. University of Massachusetts – Lowell
The University of Massachusetts Lowell offers a paralegal certificate program that is considered one of the best online paralegal programs in the country, several years running. The certificate’s credits can be applied to other baccalaureate degrees in liberal arts (legal concentration) or criminal justice, to name a few. The University of Massachusetts online paralegal program requires candidates to complete a total of eighteen credit units to meet UMass requirements.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell was established as a normal school for teachers in 1894. The Lowell campus of the University of Massachusetts maintains two campuses that serve more than 18,000 students in the more northern parts of the state. The dual campuses of this space-grant school make it the largest school in Massachusetts’s Merrimack Valley. UMass Lowell is one of only a few higher learning institutions that award degrees in sound recording and meteorology, among others.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
11. Tulane University
Tulane University’s School of Professional Advancement offers a Paralegal Studies (PS) degree program that has approval from the ABA – the American Bar Association. Applicants for the best online paralegal programs offered by Tulane University – the oldest of its kind in New Orleans – must already possess a baccalaureate degree. Tulane’s post-bachelor’s paralegal program requires students to complete 27 semester units, typically, on average, in about one year. Graduates of this paralegal program find rewarding work as court clerks, investigators, paralegals, and insurance adjusters, to name a few.
Founded as a medical college in the mid-1830s, Tulane University now operates as a space-grant school with more than 14,000 students. Tulane’s Medical school is among the nation’s oldest schools devoted to teaching medicine. Tulane operates a variety of satellite facilities across other southern states.
Program: Associate of Arts (AS) in Paralegal Studies
12. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas offers a paralegal certificate program that is ranked among Nevada’s best online paralegal programs. The University of Nevada certificate in paralegal studies program is organized into two primary content areas – the law and a practicum. Topics covered in the University of Nevada paralegal program include legal research court filing, ethical representation, document formatting, plus relevant and substantive legal concepts in the areas of contract, torts, criminal law, and estate planning, to name a few.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas was established in the late 1950s as a satellite division of the state’s university. Currently, more than 31,050 students attend classes offered online and on the University of Nevada’s campuses run by the Las Vegas administration. The University of Nevada’s law school is the only school of law in Nevada.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
13. Kapi’olani Community College
Kapi’olani Community College offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies degree program that requires degree candidates to complete 60 to 62 credits to meet Kapi’olani Community College’s s graduation requirements. Kapi’olani Community College offers the only and best online paralegal programs that are offered by the state’s university system and ABA approved. Graduates from Kapi’olani Community College’s paralegal certificate program are qualified to work for private law firms, public agencies, legal services centers, and public defender’s offices, to name a few.
Kapi’olani Community College is a member of Hawaii’s university system that was established in the mid-1940s as a technical school. The community college’s urban campus in Honolulu is home to nearly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Kapi’olani Community College is recognized to be Hawaii’s biggest comprehensive community college – offering programs across industries.
Program: Paralegal Associate of Science (AS) Degree
14. Casper College
Casper College offers an Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal Studies degree program and a post bachelor’s legal assistant certificate – two of the best online paralegal programs in the state of Wyoming. Casper College’s ABA-approved associate’s degree in paralegal studies requires the completion of 62 semester units to include classes like legal research/writing, civil procedure, criminal justice, the law of evidence, litigation support, and family law to name a few. This associate degree program prepares students to enter fully accredited baccalaureate paralegal programs.
Casper College (Casper) is a community college that was founded in the mid-1940s. Casper College is organized into five academic colleges/schools/divisions that serve more than 4,000 students each year, vying for more than 75 academic and program degrees offered by the college. Casper College is home to the Tate Geological Museum and has former Vice President Dick Cheney listed among its notable alumni.
Program: Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal Studies
15. University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio offers a paralegal certificate program that is designed to be completed in less than twelve months. The UTSA’s best online paralegal programs are organized into three portions – each lasting fourteen weeks. Classes for this paralegal program include legal research, family, civil litigation, LexisNexis, and wills & probate, to name a few. Additionally, students enrolled in the University of Texas (SA) paralegal program receive a no-cost student membership in the San Antonio Paralegal Association – one of the biggest trade organizations devoted to paralegals in the state.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) was founded in the late 1960s as a research institution of higher education. The San Antonio campus at the University of Texas maintains multiple campuses in the San Antonio region that serve nearly 35,000 students each year. The University of Texas at San Antonio is considered to be the third-largest campus of the state’s university system.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
16. George Washington University
George Washington University offers a paralegal certificate program at the master’s level that can be finished with the completion of an 18 or 24 credit unit program. George Washington University’s best online paralegal programs have also been recognized as one of the best values by bestcolleges.com. The online paralegal requires students to take classes in litigation, legal research & writing, American Jurisprudence, business ethics, and business entities, to name a few.
Established in the early-1820s as Columbian College, George Washington University (GWU) now operates as the largest education provider in the nation’s capital. More than 25,000 students attend classes offered online and the school’s multiple campuses. George Washington University is recognized to be only one of five institutions of higher education that was chartered by a US congressional charter.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
17. University of Miami
The University of Miami’s Office of Professional Advancement offers a paralegal certificate program that can be finished in only six months. The University of Miami’s paralegal certificate offers students monthly start dates throughout the year. Students enrolled in the University of Miami’s best online paralegal programs will complete coursework covering the various facets of law, including practice exams and case studies, to name a few.
The University of Miami (UM) is a research university that was established in the mid-1920s. The University of Miami is organized into twelve colleges/schools that serve nearly 17,200 students each year. The University of Miami has been ranked among Florida’s top schools and among the top fifty in the nation, according to US News. The University of Miami is recognized as one of Miami-Dade County’s top employers.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
18. Herzing University
Herzing University offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Legal Assisting/Paralegal degree program that is ranked among Wisconsin’s best online paralegal programs. This paralegal certificate degree program from Herzing University requires the completion of 62 credit units, which can be finished in only twenty months. Graduates of Herzing University explore the ways in which paralegals support lawyers in research, administration, and brief preparation, to name a few.
Herzing University (Herzing) was established as a private computer and training school in 1965, known then as the Herzing Institute. Herzing maintains an online platform and nine campuses throughout the nation that serve thousands of students each year. Herzing University offers certificate and degree programs from the associate to master degree level, depending on location and subject matter, which includes nursing, business, legal studies, health care, and public safety, among others.
Program: Associate of Science in Legal Assisting/Paralegal
19. Clayton State University
Clayton State University offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies degree program and a paralegal certificate program that are among Georgia’s best online paralegal programs with ABA approval. Clayton State University’s paralegal associate of applied science degree program includes sixty credits of coursework in law & ethics, civil litigation, and legal writing & research, of which 21 credits must be taken in residence at Clayton State University. All of the required classes for the certificate are included in the Associate of Applied Science degree program.
Clayton State University (CSU) was founded in the late 1960s and is a senior member school of the University of Georgia system. The main campus is within the southern suburban area of the greater metro Atlanta area. Nearly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend classes offered by Clayton State University.
Program: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies
20. Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies (PS) or a paralegal certificate program (PCP) that is considered among Kentucky’s best online paralegal programs. Eastern Kentucky University’s paralegal studies programs are ABA approved and meet the ABA’s strict requirements. Classes for the AAS paralegal degree include 64-semester units like legal research and writing, introduction to law, family law practice, real estate, litigation, and probate practice/procedure, plus a paralegal internship, to name a few.
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) was established in the mid-1870s on what was once the campus of Central University. Eastern Kentucky University now operates as a comprehensive space-grant school with nearly 16,000 graduate and undergraduate students studying online or one of Eastern Kentucky University’s satellite/branch campuses. Eastern Kentucky University is ranked among the top southern region higher learning institutions and best colleges for veterans.
Program: Paralegal Certificate or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies
21. Nassau Community College
Nassau Community College offers a Paralegal Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or paralegal studies certificate that is ranked among Long Island’s best online paralegal programs. Classes for Nassau Community College’s paralegal studies programs include real property law, litigation, business law, legal research & writing, law office management, plus a paralegal practicum, to name a few. These paralegal programs have received approval from the American Bar Association (ABA) and accept up to nine transfer credit units.
Nassau Community College (NCC) is a member of New York’s university system (SUNY) that was founded in 1959. The community college is recognized to award the largest number of associate level degrees in the Empire State. More than 17,650 students attend classes each year online and on-campus. Notable alumni of Nassau Community College include famous actors Billy Crystal and Eddie Murphy, plus a variety of professional athletes.
Program: Paralegal Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
22. Madisonville Community College
Madisonville Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Technology that can be completed in two years or less. Madisonville Community College’s best online paralegal programs at the associate level require the completion of 60 credit units in coursework that includes family law, civil litigation, digital literacy, law office management, real property, legal systems, wills & estates, torts, ethics, and civil litigation, to name a few.
Madisonville Community College was established in the late 1960s and operates as an open-admissions school. Madisonville Community College is one of sixteen member schools in the state technical/community college system. About 2,650 students attend classes online and on-campus. Madisonville Community College serves these Kentucky Counties – Webster, Caldwell, Muhlenberg, Crittenden, Henderson, McLean, and Hopkins. Madisonville Community College is recognized by the Aspen Institute to be among the top 10% of the nation’s community colleges.
Program: AAS Paralegal Technology
23. Anne Arundel Community College
Anne Arundel Community College’s Legal Studies Institute offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies (PS) program with a general practice track that is ranked among Maryland’s best online paralegal programs that have received ABA accreditation. Graduates of Anne Arundel Community College’s paralegal program find rewarding careers working as court clerks, law office managers, paralegals, real estate closing agents, or administrative assistants, to name a few. Anne Arundel Community College’s paralegal program requires degree candidates to complete sixty semester units in classes like business law, legal ethics, and legal research and writing, to name a few.
Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) was established in the early 1960s and recognized to be a best community college by National Business Alliance. More than 53,540 students attend classes offered by Anne Arundel Community College. Anne Arundel Community College held its first classes in the evenings and late afternoons at a local high school within the local town of Severna Park.
Program: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies – General Practice
24. Pace University
Pace University offers a paralegal certificate program that is nationally acclaimed and considered among the Empire State’s best online paralegal programs. Classes for Pace University’s paralegal certificate program include writing and research, legal doc preparation, Understanding Westlaw & LexisNexis, court systems, and substantive classes in the areas of torts, family law, contracts, interviewing/investigation procedures, and civil procedures, to name a few.
Pace University (Pace) was established by two brothers in 1906 as a private school in New York City. At present, Pace University maintains several campuses in the southern district area of New York State. More than 13,150 students attend classes online and on the school’s Empire State campuses. Pace University also operates a high school, a business incubator, and a women’s justice facility in Westchester County’s southern region.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
25. Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State College at Jacksonville offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies (legal assisting) degree program that is among the best online paralegal programs in northern Florida and the only program that has received an approval from the ABA. Florida State College’s paralegal associate degree program requires degree candidates to finish 64-semester units to meet Florida State College’s graduation requirements. Core coursework includes contract law, litigation, criminal law and procedure, real estate law, will & trusts, tort law, and fundamental so public speaking, to name a few.
Florida State College (FSCJ) was established as a community college in the mid-1960s. Since then, Florida State College has grown to be a state college that offers both two and 4-year degrees. Located in northern Florida, Florida State College serves nearly 50,000 students each year. Florida State College maintains four local campuses in the greater Jacksonville area.
Program: Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies
26. Liberty University
Liberty University offers an Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal Studies or a paralegal certificate program that has been recognized among Virginia’s best online paralegal programs. The undergraduate paralegal certificate requires the completion of 18-semester units, whereas the Associate of Arts program in paralegal studies requires sixty semester units. Bestcolleges.com recognizes Liberty University among the best online AA paralegal studies degree programs across the country. Classes include civil practice, legal writing, and criminal practice and procedure, to name a few.
Liberty University (LU) is a private evangelical school that was founded in the early 1970s. The school’s enrollment is one of the largest in the world, with more than 100,000 students attending classes mostly online and on the school’s Lynchburg campus. Liberty University is organized into 16 colleges and schools and requires students to commit to an honor code throughout their school tenure.
Program: Paralegal Certificate or Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies
27. Athens Technical College
Athens Technical College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies that is one of only three ABA approved paralegal programs in Georgia. Athens Technical College’s best online paralegal programs require students to complete 71 to 72 credit units to meet Athens Technical College’s graduation criteria. Classes for this Athens Technical College paralegal degree include legal research and writing, real estate law, civil litigation, tort law, law office management, and law & ethics, plus two paralegal internships, to name a few.
Athens Technical College (ATC) was established in the late 1950s as a technical college. Athens Technical College maintains campuses and academic facilities in Monroe, Greensboro, and Elberton, Georgia, in addition to its Athens location. Athens Technical College’s student enrollment across locations and campuses includes approximately 4,050 students each year.
Program: Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies
28. Central Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College offers a Paralegal Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree program that is an ABA approved program and one of the best online paralegal programs in North Carolina. Graduates of Central Piedmont Community College’s paralegal program are qualified to sit for the North Carolina Certified Paralegal exam. The AAS degree in paralegal technology requires degree candidates to complete 72 to 73-semester units to meet Central Piedmont Community College’s requirements, which can be done in two years if studying full-time.
Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) was founded in 1963 as the result of a merger of two smaller schools. With more than 50,450 students, Central Piedmont Community College is the 2nd largest community college in the state but the largest in the greater metro Charlotte area. Central Piedmont Community College maintains multiple campuses – Cato, Harper, Levine, Harris, Merancas, and Central, plus online, to name a few.
Program: Paralegal Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
29. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College offers a Paralegal Certificate or an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies degree program that is among the best online paralegal programs in Indiana and beyond. The associate degree in paralegal requires core coursework of 45-semester credits, whereas the paralegal certificate requires a bachelor’s degree and the earning of 36-semester units. Classes for these programs include law, ethics, & society, legal research, civil litigation, legal communications, and computer basics in law, plus a legal practicum, to name a few.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College was established by the Sisters of providence in 1840. The school’s student enrollment exceeds 1,700, with the school’s most famous programs offered through the School of Equine Studies. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is recognized to be the oldest of all Catholic higher learning institutions in the state of Indiana.
Program: Paralegal Certificate or Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies
30. Faulkner University
Faulkner University offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Legal Studies degree program that has been considered as one of Alabama’s best online paralegal programs. Faulkner University’s AS degree in legal studies requires degree candidates to complete 74-semester credits in classes that include legal research, tort law, civil procedure, probates and wills, real property law, criminal law and procedure, law office management, and evidence for paralegals, plus an internship, to name a few.
Faulkner University was established by the Churches of Christ in the early 1940s as a bible school. Currently, the school’s urban campus and online platform are home to more than 3,400 undergraduate and graduate students. Faulkner University now operates several campuses in Montgomery, Huntsville, Birmingham, and Mobile. Faulkner University was named to honor the writer James Faulkner, a board member, and the school’s longtime supporter.
Program: Associate of Science (AS) in Legal Studies
31. Post University
Post University offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Legal Studies that is ranked among the best online paralegal programs in Connecticut and the tri-state area. Degree candidates enrolled in Post University’s associate level paralegal studies degree program include legal research, business law, introduction to law, estate planning, civil litigation, real estate law & practice, legal writing, and a legal studies internship, to name a few. The estimated completion time for this Post University associate of science degree program in legal studies is two years.
Post University (Post U) was established in 1890 as a school to teach shorthand. Established as a for-profit school, most students enrolled at Post University attend classes offered online. The school’s urban campus in Waterbury and online platform is home to more than 7,250 students. The school’s campus is home to the Post Tree – a Camperdown elm that has an average branch spread of 28 feet and a height of 13 feet.
Program: Associate in Science in Legal Studies
32. Hampton University
Hampton University offers a paralegal certificate program that is ranked among the most affordable and best online paralegal programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Most students enrolled in Hampton University’s paralegal certificate program can complete the degree in one year if taking two courses per session. AffordableCollegesOnline.com ranks Hampton University’s distance learning programs among the top programs in all of Virginia. Classes for this 18 credit program include tors and personal injury, real estate, domestic relations, bankruptcy, and law office management, to name a few.
Hampton University (HU) was established as a farm and teacher’s training school in 1868. It is officially recognized as an HBCU school and home to the oldest museum dedicated to the African diaspora in the nation. More than 4,500 students attend classes offered online and its suburban campus in Hampton. The original campus for Hampton University was once a former plantation in what is Elizabeth City County.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
33. Hodges University
The Nichols School of Professional Studies at Hodges University offers an Associate of Science (AS) degree in Paralegal Studies (PS) program that is ranked among the best online paralegal programs in the Sunshine State. Hodges University’s associate degree in paralegal studies prepares students for rewarding careers or to enroll in a baccalaureate-level degree in paralegal at Hodges University or another school. Classes for this sixty-credit unit degree from Hodges include legal research and writing, torts, contracts, real estate and property, business law, legal ethics, and the fundamentals of law, to name a few.
Hodges University (HU) was established as a private school entitled International College in 1990. Hodges University now operates dual campuses that serve about 1,100 undergraduate and graduate students each year. Hodges University is organized into five colleges/schools in the areas of technology, business, health sciences, general studies, and professional studies.
Program: Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies
34. Drury University
Drury University offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies that offers students five start dates each calendar year. Drury University’s AS in paralegal is ranked among Missouri’s best online paralegal programs, with impressive class sizes of only fifteen students, on average. Classes for Drury’s 61-semester unit program include law and legal reasoning, family law, tort law, litigation, legal research & writing, interviewing & investigating, plus a paralegal practicum, to name a few.
Drury University (DU) is a liberal arts school that was founded in 1873 by members of the Congregationalist/Protestant Church. Drury University is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ and serves about 1,750 students online and on the university’s Springfield campus. Drury University is often recognized as a best value school offering quality education at affordable tuition rates.
Program: AS in Paralegal Studies
35. Ashworth College
Ashworth College offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies that is ranked as one of the more affordable, innovative, and best online paralegal programs in the Peachtree State. Students enrolled in Ashworth College’s online associate degree program complete classes in criminal law & procedures, legal research & writing, law office management, business law, the social impact of technology, the principles of public speaking, and introduction to paralegalism I and II, plus a paralegal practicum, to name a few.
Ashworth College (AC) was established in 1987 as a for-profit school that operates exclusively online. AC also maintains other schools and academic facilities, including James Madison High School. Ashworth College offers programs that offer multiple start dates each year. The DEAC -the Distance Education Accrediting Commission accredits AC on a national level.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
36. Roger Williams University
Roger Williams University offers an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies that is ranked among Rhode Island’s best online paralegal programs that have received ABA approval. RI Lawyer’s Weekly ranked Roger Williams University’s paralegal program the best in the state in 2020. Degree candidates enrolled in Roger Williams University’s paralegal associate degree program are required to complete 61-semester units to meet the university’s graduation requirements. Class samples include criminal law for the paralegal, legal research and writing, and emerging technologies in the legal environment, to name a few.
Roger Williams University was established in the mid-1950s as a private higher learning institution. Its main campus is in Bristol, Rhode Island, and operates as a space-grant school, with about 4,350 students attending classes each year. Roger Williams University is named to honor the state’s cofounded – Roger Williams, also a theologian.
Program: Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies
37. Rasmussen College
Rasmussen College offers an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies that is offered in many states, with start dates throughout the year. Among the classes included in one of the marketplace’s best online paralegal programs are intellectual property law, litigation, criminal law, legal writing, introduction to legal research, American Jurisprudence, and rules of evidence, plus a virtual capstone, among others. Rasmussen College’s paralegal program prepares students to sit for the CLA/CP National Certified Legal Assistant/Paralegal exam.
Rasmussen College was established in 1900 and now operates multiple campuses throughout the country. Rasmussen operates as a for-profit school offering programs across nearly two campuses. Rasmussen College serves nearly 15,500 students each year. Rasmussen College is in the process of being acquired by APUS but still offers associate and baccalaureate degrees and diplomas/certificates.
Program: Paralegal Associate’s
38. Franklin Pierce University
Franklin Pierce University offers a paralegal certificate program that is ranked among the best online paralegal programs offered in New Hampshire and Northern New England. Start dates are available throughout the year, and students have one year to complete the ten courses (30 credits). Classes for Franklin Pierce University’s paralegal program include litigation, corporate law, legal research and writing, probate, real estate, and criminal law, to name a few. Franklin Pierce University helps prepare students to begin their studying toward the Paralegal Certificate exam.
Franklin Pierce University (FPU) is a private institution that was established in the early 1960s as a college but gained university status in 2007. The school’s rural campus and online platform serve nearly 2,500 students each year. Franklin Pierce University maintains other facilities in Portsmouth, Manchester, and Lebanon, NH, with another in Arizona.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
40. Bryant & Stratton College
Bryant & Stratton College offers a paralegal certificate program that prepares students for the growing in-demand paralegal profession. Bryant & Stratton College’s best online paralegal programs are required to complete online classes that include civil litigation, introduction to legal studies, legal research and writing I & II, and law office management and technology, to name a few. Students also receive after graduation support as they navigate the paralegal professional landscape.
Bryant & Stratton College (Bryant & Stratton) was established in the mid-1850s as a for-profit institution of higher education. More than 10,000 students attend classes online and on BSC’s various physical campuses. notable alumni of Bryant & Stratton College include Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller, and Joseph E Seagram, to name a few.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
41. Penn Foster College
Penn Foster College offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies that is considered among Pennsylvania’s best online paralegal programs. Penn Foster’s four-semester associate degree program includes classes in civil & criminal litigation, ethics, legal investigations, and legal research & writing, to name a few. Penn Foster’s paralegal associate’s degree program offers students an affordable and accessible certificate program.
Penn Foster is a career college that was established in 1890. Penn Foster operates in multiple locations and mostly online, with more than 125,000 students attending classes. Penn Foster was purchased in 2018 by Bain Capital. Penn Foster was founded by a newspaper editor who wanted to provide education to coal miners to help increase worker safety.
Program: Paralegal Certificate
42. Broadview University
Broadview University offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies that is considered among the best online paralegal programs that are available in dual states. This Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies can be completed in less than two years if studying full-time. Students enrolled in Broadview University’s paralegal program develop refined thinking skills that are combined with critical analysis to help support well-informed legal conclusions for lawyers.
Broadview University (which was once known as Utah Career College) was established in 1977 as a for-profit institution of higher learning. The school operates five campuses that focus on health science, legal science, and business technology training. BU moved its campus to its current location in West Jordan but also operates a campus in Salt Lake City and Boise, Idaho.
Program: AAS in Paralegal
43. Central Texas College
Central Texas College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies that is recognized as one the Lone Star State’s best online paralegal programs. Central Texas College’s online paralegal certificate program can be completed by full-time students in about two years. This sixty-credit associate degree includes classes in civil litigation, wills, trusts, and probate administration, torts and personal injury law, business correspondence, criminal law, and, family law to name a few.
Central Texas College (Central Texas) was established in the mid-1960s as a community college. Currently, it operates campuses throughout Europe as well as military facilities in the nation. The school’s total student enrollment nears 40,000 students, with many in the military as the school is located near Fort Hood. Central Texas College offers a variety of associate-level degrees (AA, AAS, AS), plus a variety of certificate/diploma programs.
Program: AAS in Paralegal
44. Edmonds Community College
Edmonds College offers an Associate of Technical Arts (ATA) in paralegal that has received approval from the American Bar Association. Edmonds Community College’s best online paralegal programs require degree candidates to complete 90 academic units, of which one-third must be earned in residence. Edmonds Community College offers a generous transfer credit policy of up to 50% of the total required credits, if eligible. Classes for this degree include legal research, contracts, law, and legal process, and legal ethics, plus a related practicum, among others.
Edmonds College, which was formerly known as Edmonds Community College, was established in 1967. The college’s Lynwood campus in Washington state covers more than fifty acres and serves more than 10,150 students each year. the campus for Edmonds College is about a dozen miles to the north of downtown Seattle, Washington.
Program: Associate of Technical Arts – Paralegal
45. Florida National University
Florida National University offers an Associate of Arts (AA) in paralegal that requires students to finish a minimum of sixty-semester credits to meet FNUs graduation criteria. Among South Florida’s best online paralegal programs, Florida National University’s coursework includes legal research and writing 1 & 2, contract & business ethics, business law, introduction to torts, professional ethics and liability, introduction to civil procedure, and criminal law and procedures, to name a few.
Florida National University (FNU) was established as the Florida International institute in 1988. This for-profit university is primarily Hispanic as it is located in Hialeah, a small south Floridian community located near Little Havana. The school’s campus and online platform are home to nearly 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year. Florida National University operates a satellite facility in nearby Miami.
Program: AA in Paralegal
46. Massachusetts Bay Community College
Massachusetts Bay Community College. offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies program that is considered as one of Massachusetts’s best online paralegal programs. Depending on the exact study path, degree candidates need to complete at least 62 or 62-semester units to graduate. Classes for Massachusetts Bay Community College’s paralegal associate degree program include litigation for paralegals, legal research and writing, business law, introduction to paralegal studies, and principles of management, to name a few.
Massachusetts Bay Community College (Mass Bay) was established in the early 1960s to serve the Middlesex and Norfolk Counties. Currently, Massachusetts Bay Community College also operates campuses in Framingham, Wellesley, and Ashland that serve more than 4,350 students each year. Many graduates from Massachusetts Bay Community College transfer to four-year schools in the state’s university system.
Program: AS Paralegal Studies
47. Remington College
Remington College offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies that can be completed in only 1.5 years for students studying full-time. Remington College’s best online paralegal programs include core coursework that includes legal liability and ethics, legal writing, family law, introduction to paralegal studies, and real estate law, to name a few. Remington College’s Associate of Science (AS) degree program in Paralegal Studies is organized into quarters that last 12-weeks.
Remington College (RC) is a private school that was established in 1987. Remington College operates sixteen academic campuses and facilities across several States. RC’s headquarters are located in Lake Mary, Florida. Remington College offers a variety of distance learning programs to serve students in forty states. Remington College’s programs are primarily focused on business, criminal justice, health sciences, electronics, and information technology, to name a few.
Program: Paralegal Associate’s
48. Rio Salado College
Rio Salado College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies that requires degree candidates to complete 64 to 67-semester units to complete the paralegal degree. Rio Salado College’s best online paralegal programs can be completed as a part-time or full-time student, with coursework that includes research and writing for paralegals, legal foundations, legal project management, estate law for the paralegal, civil litigation, business law, law office technology, and introduction to tort law, to name a few.
Rio Salado College was founded in 1978 and is a member school of the Maricopa County CC District. Rio Salado College operates a variety of branch campuses in Avondale, Phoenix, Queen Creek, and Luke Air Force Base, among others. Rio Salado College’s student enrollment nears 53,000 students each year.
Program: Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal
49. University Of Providence
The University of Providence offers an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies that was voted as one of Montana’s best online paralegal programs. The University of Providence has received approval from the ABA through programs that have been partnered with the Air Force and Army personnel. Classes for UP’s associate degree in paralegal studies include estate law, commercial law, criminal evidence and procedure, family law, legal analysis, research and writing for paralegals, and criminal law, plus a field paralegal experience and a capstone, to name a few.
The University of Providence was established in 1932 as a junior college for all women. The University of Providence remains affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. Additionally, this space-grant, private school serves approximately 1,150 students online and from its Great Falls Campus. The University of Providence is organized into two divisions that offer programs in liberal arts/sciences and the school of health professions offers informatics, nursing, and epidemiology, to name a few.
Program: Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies
50. Lake Superior College
Lake Superior College offers three of the best online paralegal programs in Minnesota. These include an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and an Associate of Science (AS) degree program in paralegal studies that are available online. Lake Superior College’s paralegal programs have also been recognized as the top and most affordable paralegal programs. Classes for this program include legal terminology, the American legal system, ethical obligations, and interviewing and investigations, to name a few. Lake Superior College (LSC) is a member of the Minnesota State higher education system.
Lake Superior College (LCS) operates as a community college that was founded in 1995. More than 5,750 students attend classes offered online and on the schools’ campuses. Many LSC students begin at LSC and transfer to a four-year school upon graduation. The campuses included are Duluth, Gary, and the Downtown Center. Lake Superior College offers more than 140 academic degree and diploma programs through the e-campus
Programs: AAS, AS, or Certificate
Where Are the ABA Approved Online Paralegal Programs?
There are no ABA-approved online paralegal programs due to the fact the ABA does not approve online paralegal programs. However, a school that has an ABA-approved on-campus program can offer the same program in an online format. The fact that the ABA does not approve online degree programs will not affect a student’s ability to get a job as a paralegal. A student attending an online paralegal degree program will be able to find a job in the field of law along with any other type of employment that hires paralegals to perform certain job duties.
The American Bar Association is also an accrediting body for schools that offer legal degrees. Instead of using the word “accredited”, it uses the word “approved” instead. That means paralegal students should attend schools with paralegal programs approved by the ABA regardless if they’re attending on campus or online. Even though there is no paralegal program online ABA-approved, as long as the education provided online is the same as in-person, the student can expect to earn a degree that’s accepted by the field of law and engage in their chosen career path.
In the event a student is concerned about accreditation, there are non-ABA-approved online paralegal programs that have accreditation from The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Graduates can also take a national exam offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) to demonstrate their knowledge of paralegal studies to a potential employer.
Can I Get a Job with an Online Paralegal Degree?
Yes, you can get a paralegal job with an online paralegal degree. The stigma that once came with getting a paralegal degree from an online school has disappeared as prestigious schools began offering online degree options. Employers are also cognizant of the fact that online education is the modern equivalent of night school for adults. The prevalence of online degrees from reputable schools has also caused employers to recognize that the paralegal workforce is more likely to have a degree from an online program as opposed to attending classes on campus. As long as you attend an online paralegal program from a school that’s recognized for educational quality, has ABA approval for their campus program, and completes your degree requirements, you’ll find that you’ll have no problem with finding paralegal jobs.
One thing you’ll notice is a lot of entry-level paralegal jobs when searching for the phrase “paralegal jobs near me” after you earn your paralegal degree online. Entry-level paralegal jobs are where you’ll begin your career, and you shouldn’t be disheartened by this fact. You need to gain work experience after you get your paralegal associate degree for advanced paralegal jobs. Employers that offer entry-level paralegal jobs are aware of the fact that their paralegal hires are new to the field, and although they pay commensurately, you won’t be stuck at the bottom of the paralegal job ladder for long. You become more valuable as you gain skills, and can find better paralegal jobs elsewhere with time.
Will an Online Paralegal Program Help Me Make More Money?
Yes, an online paralegal program will help you make more money than a paralegal certificate. The paralegal certificate helps you learn the basics of the paralegal profession, but it won’t help you progress past entry-level paralegal jobs for some time. In order to earn more as a paralegal, you’ll need to return to school to earn an associate degree in paralegal studies.
When looking at how much paralegals make an hour, the lowest 10% make $22 an hour while the highest earn $35 and up. The median salary is $28 for a paralegal on salary hourly basis. The average starting salary for a paralegal is $18 an hour but can be higher or lower depending on the amount of education an entry-level paralegal brings to the position. A paralegal that continues their education to earn a bachelor’s degree in legal studies has a better earning profile over time than someone who doesn’t advance their education past an associate degree.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the median pay for paralegals in 2020 was $52,920 on an annual basis. That number, including answering the question of “how much do paralegals make an hour”, provides an average of $25.44 an hour. Just what is a paralegal’s salary? It depends on geographic location, demand for paralegals in a given area, and how much education and experience a paralegal has. Someone who is just starting out as a paralegal can expect to earn anywhere from $35,000 to $40,000 a year after they graduate in most parts of the U.S. but can expect to earn more as they gain experience.
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