Online Bachelor's Degrees in Paralegal Studies: Reviewing Programs

Explore Online Paralegal Bachelor’s Degrees

To become a paralegal or legal assistant, you’ll need to earn a proper education from an accredited institution. Some schools offer paralegal bachelor degree programs, including several popular online options that make your education convenient by adjusting it to your busy schedule. Becoming a paralegal with an online course can be an accessible avenue for pursuing more advanced legal education and professions.

Take a look at some reputable schools offering paralegal bachelor’s degrees to get an idea of where to start in your search.

Online Paralegal Bachelor’s FAQs

How long does it take to earn a paralegal bachelor’s degree online?

The time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies online will depend on your school and schedule. Most traditional full-time bachelor’s degree programs take four years to complete, while part-time programs may take a little longer. However, if you have the time and financial capabilities, you could finish your paralegal degree much faster by taking more courses per semester. Check with your school to get a better idea of how long it’ll take to complete the online paralegal bachelor’s degree program.

How much does an online paralegal studies bachelor’s degree cost?

The cost of an online paralegal studies bachelor’s degree can vary widely depending on the school and individual program. You should expect to pay between $15,000 and $60,000 on average. While the cost of some programs can be daunting, many accept federal financial aid and offer scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial support to alleviate the cost. Some schools may also provide payment plans, such as allowing you to break up your tuition cost into monthly installments. You can find more information 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.

What are the admissions requirements for online paralegal bachelor’s degrees?

Admissions requirements for online paralegal bachelor’s degrees vary by school and program, but you’ll typically need the following to complete your application:

• Transcripts from all prior institutions attended
• Standardized test scores (if required by the institution)
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal essays

You’ll likely also need a minimum GPA as mandated by the school. You may also be required to complete specific coursework before admission.

Can I earn my paralegal bachelor’s degree 100% online?

Yes, many schools offer bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies 100% online. These programs offer busy professionals a flexible and convenient pathway to earning their degrees. Online paralegal bachelor’s degree programs can be asynchronous, allowing you to complete coursework on your own time or feature live classes where you’ll be required to attend class at a specific time. Additionally, some schools may require students to come in for specific courses or events, so checking with the school is essential.

Do I need certification or licensure to work as a paralegal?

You likely won’t need to earn additional certification or licensure to work as a paralegal. However, earning certifications like the certified paralegal, the professional paralegal, or the American Alliance certified paralegal can help bolster your resume and stand out to potential employers. It’s important to note that each state has its own requirements for becoming a paralegal, so you should check local resources to better understand the steps you need to take.

Online Paralegal Curriculum

While each bachelor’s degree paralegal studies program has its own curriculum, you’ll typically explore key legal concepts like ethics, probate processes, court proceedings, and litigation to ensure you’re job ready. Additionally, you’ll sharpen your research and writing skills to develop critical legal documents and aid lawyers and attorneys during legal proceedings. Regardless of which program you choose, there are several standard courses you’re likely to encounter, some of which we discuss below.

Civil Litigation

Dealing with civil law cases will be crucial to your career as a paralegal. This course will explore civil legal procedures, including discovery, evidence guidelines, and trial preparation. Additionally, you’ll gain practical knowledge in specialized fields like personal injury, contracts, and property law.

Estate Planning & Probate

Paralegals often assist with estate planning and deal with local probate courts. In this course, you’ll explore wills, trusts, power of attorney, asset valuation, and debt settlement. Plus, you’ll learn how to draft estate planning documents and navigate the complex probate procedures, proper handling of fees and funds, conducting financial billings, and avoiding issues that can lead to a conflict of interest and malpractice.

Introduction to Legal Studies

This will likely be one of the first courses you take as part of your online bachelor’s degree paralegal studies program. In this course, you’ll build foundational knowledge of the U.S. legal system and explore prominent areas of law, including contracts and torts. You’ll gain a basic understanding of legal terminology and explore famous cases.

Legal Ethics

As a legal professional, having strong ethics is critical to maintaining a reputable career. In this course, you’ll explore the ethical rules that govern paralegals, lawyers, and other law practitioners. You’ll develop a strong understanding of your ethical responsibilities as a paralegal, including client confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and unethical law practices.

Legal Research and Writing

As a paralegal, a significant aspect of your role will be conducting research and creating documents. In this course, you’ll hone your research and writing abilities to effectively find legal information, analyze court cases, and draft critical legal documents like motions, briefs, and contracts.

Careers for Paralegal Bachelor’s Holders

Court Reporter

Court reporters are responsible for capturing, documenting, and transcribing pretrial and trial proceedings through proper handling of equipment (such as stenographic instruments). This role allows hearing-impaired audience members to follow along in broadcasts as their duties help to provide captions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that court reporters earned a median annual wage of $71,040 in May 2023.

Paralegal

Also referred to as legal assistants, paralegals provide direct support to attorneys. Some paralegal duties include researching, investigating, preparing documents, performing administrative tasks, and communicating with clients, but it’s important to note that paralegals cannot and do not offer legal advice. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $66,460 for this career role and a projected growth of 1% in employment for 2023-2033.

Legal Secretary

Legal secretaries earned a median annual wage of $56,330 in May 2023 according to the BLS. These professionals are well-versed in legal vernacular, procedures, and documents, using this knowledge in the preparation of different forms of communication and possibly support legal research. Some examples of the correspondence they are in charge of include complaints, subpoenas, and summonses.

Resources for Paralegal Students

• American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. For over 20 years, this organization has been committed to advancing the paralegal profession. The American Alliance of Paralegals holds regular events and cost-effective training opportunities that enhance the knowledge and skills of its members.
• American Bar Association The American Bar Association provides resources for legal professionals and advocates for quality legal education. Paralegals can find insightful information on compensation, job duties, and employment opportunities.
• How to Become a Paralegal Our page on How to Become a Paralegal walks you through the process Step-by-Step from deciding if the career is right for you, to finding a program, to looking for jobs.
• Institute for Paralegal Education The Institute for Paralegal Education offers continued education for paralegals. The organization offers hundreds of live and on-demand courses that have helped over 60,000 professionals develop new skills and knowledge.
• Paralegal Bootcamp The Paralegal Bootcamp is a training program offered by an experienced paralegal to help others get on-the-job training prior to their first role.

Top Online Bachelor’s Programs for Future Paralegals

Our data scientists have created this ranking of the best paralegal programs for prospective students like you to make your career journey as smooth as possible. We’ve taken out the guesswork of which schools can be the right fit for you as we analyzed data to determine the ideal combination of affordability, online learning components, student support services, and more in these schools. Discover the schools that made their way onto our list.