Why This Matters
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50% OF PARALEGAL JOBS REQUIRE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE
Information provided from O*NET shows that half of paralegal jobs require an associate degree. Another 7% only require a certificate.
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4% JOB GROWTH FOR PARALEGALS
The demand for paralegals and legal assistants is expected to rise 4% by 2032, as law firms work to increase efficiency and reduce the costs of their services.
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EARN $59,200 PER YEAR AS A PARALEGAL
Trained paralegals and legal assistants earn $59,200 on average. The lowest 10% earn less than $37,690, while the highest 10% earn more than $94,960. Secretaries and assistants earn $44,080 per year.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in paralegal studies degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education. Many of the programs on our list have been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of law-related programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online associate in paralegal studies degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
- 61 hours to write this article
- 172 universities and colleges we assessed
- 180 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Paralegal Associate Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
Paralegals are essential to the legal industry. They need to be detail-oriented, have strong writing and communication skills, and be able to research and analyze legal documents.
It’s important to note the different legal paths to consider when exploring an education program and potential careers. A legal secretary or legal assistant has a similar focus, but the job tasks and course requirements are different. Secretaries and assistants typically perform routine clerical and administrative duties and, on average, earn less than a paralegal.
After you complete your paralegal studies and earn your associate degree, you can apply for the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). Many people who want to work in the legal field will earn their associate degree in paralegal studies and use that as preparation for a career as a lawyer, mediator, or other legal specialist.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online paralegal associate programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Many paralegal and legal assistant programs accept students from a variety of backgrounds. Common requirements include a high school diploma or equivalency.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most students can earn the required 60 credit hours for their online associate degree in paralegal studies in two to three years. Once they earn their associate degree, they can apply for the optional Certified Paralegal credential, which shows potential hiring managers that they have the necessary skills and training to work as a paralegal or legal assistant.
Once you select an online paralegal studies program, you will need to keep track of your application and deadlines. You’ll also need to consider how to finance your associate degree in paralegal studies and find out if you qualify for any scholarships or employer-based tuition reimbursement plans.