Best Online Paralegal Associate Degree Programs

As a full-time student in an online paralegal associate degree program, you can generally graduate within a year and a half to two years. Students in online programs may be able to complete their degrees faster than those taking in-person paralegal programs because they can often take courses that can be finished within weeks rather than months. Generally, the curriculum for paralegal programs includes coursework amounting to about 90 credit hours.

Students enrolling in online paralegal associate degree programs usually pay tuition costs comparable to those for traditional programs. In some cases, students pay less if their school charges by the credit hour rather than the semester. However, even if the tuition costs are the same as in-person programs, online students save money on transportation costs. You can find information more about funding your education in our financial aid guide. In addition, the table below highlights three online paralegal programs to give you a better idea of what you can expect to pay.

Admission requirements for online paralegal associate degree programs generally include the same basic requirements for admittance into most entry-level college programs. Those requirements include a high school diploma or GED and SAT or ACT scores. Every college is unique, though, so check with individual schools for specific admission requirements to make sure you follow their required admissions process.

Paralegal associate degree programs can be earned entirely online since they do not have courses with a lab component. However, some schools do require completion of hands-on experience through an internship in a legal setting.

As of May 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for paralegals and legal assistants is $52,920 with the highest 10 percent of earners making $85,160 and the lowest 10 percent making $32,900. The top industries and median incomes for paralegals are the federal government ($69,490), finance and insurance ($66,390), local governments ($52,660), legal services ($50,600), and state governments ($48,070). For paralegals with associate degrees, PayScale indicates an average salary of $43,171 and a range of $26,000 to $83,000 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegals and legal assistants are expected to see a 10 percent increase in jobs between 2019 and 2029. That amounts to an additional 35,300 jobs added to the profession. This growth is being driven by law firms looking for ways to make the cost of their services more competitive by hiring paralegals to perform tasks previously assigned to entry-level attorneys. Similarly, corporations are bringing more of their legal work in-house and hiring paralegals as part of internal legal departments.

Although paralegals aren’t required to earn a certification, getting a credential from organizations like NALS and the National Association of Legal Assistants can help you distinguish yourself in the competitive job market. In addition, employers are increasingly giving preference to candidates with certifications, so earning one can help you land a job.

While certifications are not mandatory, some states have specific rules that must be followed to work as a paralegal. For example, according to the American Bar Association, California, Washington, and Utah, require paralegals to earn a degree and also complete continuing education requirements.

If you want to continue your education, an online paralegal associate degree lays a strong foundation to help you move on to other programs. Graduates can go on to earn a bachelor’s in paralegal studies, online bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, and online master’s degrees in criminal justice. Some even move on to the doctoral level and earn PhDs or DCJs.