The Best Online Paralegal Programs of 2025
Although lawyers get much of the credit in the courtroom, paralegals are often behind much of the work that goes into building a solid legal case.
Paralegals provide essential services to law professionals, like conducting legal research, organizing information into detailed reports, and summarizing testimony. The nature of their work requires paralegals to have extensive knowledge of law and legal practices.
A quality education in paralegal studies can result in a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree. Discover what the best online paralegal programs offer future paralegals and what to expect from these programs.
10 Best Online Paralegal Programs
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
Canton, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
SUNY Canton's online BS in legal studies explores legal research and writing and digs into specific law topics, including business law, family law, and criminal practice. As of the 2024-2025 school year, as an online full-time student, you'll pay $3,535 in tuition each semester, regardless of whether you're a resident of New York or another state.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 124
- Leads to Certification: No
Things We Love:
- Enjoy a seamless, accelerated transition into a law degree program at the University at Buffalo School of Law.
- Complete the degree around your schedule without set meeting times for online classes.
- Choose between an internship and a senior project during your last semester.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- You must complete at least 30 credits through SUNY Canton to graduate with this degree.
- You'll need to submit ACT or SAT scores with your application.
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$17,490
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled2,836
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment81%
- AccreditationYes
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
As a student in UC's online law and paralegal studies bachelor's program, you'll learn what it takes to become a paralegal in many fields, including real estate, corporations, personal injury, and criminal law. The BS is one of around 230 paralegal programs approved by the American Bar Association.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 120
- Leads to Certification: No
Things We Love:
- Receive career development and job placement assistance from UC's career center.
- Join the Criminal Justice Society to build your network and stay updated with industry news.
- Personalize your degree with legal specialty electives, like environmental law or bankruptcy law.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- An in-person internship in an approved legal setting is required to graduate.
- You must earn at least 30 credits at UC to complete the bachelor's program.
- In-State$11,892
- Out-of-state$27,226
- In-State$13,224
- Out-of-state$24,966
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled43,976
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
Herzing University-Madison
Madison, WI
- 4 year
- Online
What You'll Like:
Herzing University's online BS in legal studies includes courses in professional development, business communications, and law office procedures to prepare you for your future career. You'll complete all coursework asynchronously, allowing you to study when it's convenient for you.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 125
- Leads to Certification: Yes
Things We Love:
- Choose between a senior capstone project or a legal studies internship.
- Transfer up to 93 credits into the program to shorten your time to degree completion.
- Receive lifelong career coaching and personalized career support services.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Herzing may request standardized test scores or entrance exams to prove your college readiness.
- Depending on your state of residence, you may not be eligible for an internship.
- In-State$11,820
- Out-of-state$11,820
- In-State$9,520
- Out-of-state$9,520
- Retention Rate51%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled3,473
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
As a student in Purdue Global's online BS in legal support and services, you can choose a standard pathway or an optional concentration in paralegal studies, both requiring the same number of credits. A capstone experience synthesizes everything you learn during the program through real-world scenarios and issue analysis.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 180 quarter credits
- Leads to Certification: Yes
Things We Love:
- Try the program for free for three weeks to make sure it's a good fit.
- Take courses toward a master's degree while completing your BS to accelerate the time to finish both degrees.
- Earn college credit for military service, work experience, and prior learning.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Expect to spend 15-18 hours per course studying and completing assignments weekly.
- If you aren't an Indiana resident or military service member, you'll pay a $345 resource fee per term.
- In-State$10,080
- Out-of-state$13,356
- In-State$9,472
- Out-of-state$10,524
- Retention Rate17%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled45,125
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
FGCU's legal studies BS offers all upper-level coursework required to complete the degree program entirely online. The curriculum covers criminal procedure, torts, contracts, and professional ethics and has several openings for electives to study topics like international law or trusts and estates.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 120
- Leads to Certification: Yes
Things We Love:
- Begin upper-level coursework immediately with an associate degree in legal assisting or a related field.
- Get supplemental instruction, tutoring, and academic advising from the Center for Academic Achievement.
- Pay over $600 less per credit as a Florida resident compared to out-of-state students.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- You must complete at least 30 of your last 60 credits at FGCU.
- If it's your first time in college, you'll need to attend an in-person orientation before starting the program.
- In-State$6,118
- Out-of-state$25,162
- In-State$6,974
- Out-of-state$28,170
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled16,230
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
National University
San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Approved by the American Bar Association, NU's online BS in paralegal studies blends fundamental law concepts with practical skills, like legal writing and document preparation. Year-round enrollment makes it easy to start when you're ready.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 180 quarter credits
- Leads to Certification: No
Things We Love:
- Spend just four weeks on each course to complete your program in around 41 months of full-time study.
- Create objective and persuasive legal documents for your portfolio through two capstone courses.
- Apply for the needs-based Key Grant to receive up to $7,500 per year toward tuition.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- NU doesn't offer tuition payment plans to spread your costs over time.
- You'll need to take an ACCUPLACER test for admission if you haven't completed college-level English or math courses.
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- In-State$15,912
- Out-of-state$15,912
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled18,631
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
EKU's online BA in paralegal science actively helps you prepare for your career as you learn. Take advantage of interview coaching, resume optimization, and job placement assistance to join the 90% of graduates who secure a job or move on to graduate school within six months of graduating.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 120
- Leads to Certification: Yes
Things We Love:
- Focus on fewer courses at a time with accelerated eight-week terms.
- Choose from relevant minors, like pre-law and political science, to align your degree program with your interests.
- Receive all required textbooks for free before you begin the semester.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- If you're a transfer student, you must take at least 15 credits of paralegal coursework at EKU.
- EKU requires two weeks of on-campus writing and research sessions for this major.
- In-State$9,544
- Out-of-state$19,922
- In-State$10,008
- Out-of-state$13,644
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled14,324
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment71%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
UMass Global's BA in legal studies offers an online paralegal profession concentration to equip you with the necessary skills to work in fast-paced law offices. During the capstone course, you'll practice analyzing a legal case and preparing a strongly supported resolution.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 120
- Leads to Certification: Yes
Things We Love:
- Use relevant prior learning, work experience, and military service as transfer credit.
- Pair with the same advisor throughout your program to work toward your academic and career goals.
- Receive half-price tuition of $250 per credit as an active-duty military service member or spouse.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- A supervised, in-person field experience is an elective option rather than a requirement.
- UMass Global may require you to complete additional electives if you lack transferable credit.
- In-State$12,000
- Out-of-state$12,000
- In-State$12,510
- Out-of-state$12,510
- Retention Rate40%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled8,689
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
Texas A & M University
Commerce, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Choose between a BA or BS for East Texas A&M's paralegal studies program. Available fully online or in a hybrid format, the American Bar Association-approved degree builds competency through fundamental legal coursework and hands-on experience. As a Texas resident attending full time, you'll pay nearly $4,900 less per semester than out-of-state learners as of the 2024-2025 school year.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 120
- Leads to Certification: No
Things We Love:
- Learn through flexible online coursework with instructor support and weekly deadlines.
- Receive a first-time college student scholarship of up to $2,000 per year if eligible.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- The BA program requires at least 12 foreign language credits.
- You're largely responsible for securing your internship placement and getting approval from an internship instructor.
- In-State$4,790
- Out-of-state$17,060
- In-State$3,630
- Out-of-state$10,974
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled11,500
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment75%
- AccreditationYes
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Loyola's BA in paralegal studies is a degree completion program comprising 40 of the necessary 120 credits toward a bachelor's degree. Approved by the American Bar Association, the degree lets you complete a dual litigation and corporate practice certificate as part of the bachelor's curriculum.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 120
- Leads to Certification: No
Things We Love:
- Complete the program part-time or full-time to fit your schedule.
- Bolster your career readiness with Loyola's networking platform, career fairs, and mock interviews.
- Get an employer tuition reimbursement match of up to $5,250 per year.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Loyola charges a technology fee of up to $78 per semester for this degree program.
- Online classes have synchronous meeting times, although they're scheduled in the evenings to be convenient for working adults.
- In-State$48,100
- Out-of-state$48,100
- In-State$19,440
- Out-of-state$19,440
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled17,397
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Types of Paralegal Programs
Certificate
- 6-12 months
- Credit or non-credit options
- Average annual cost of $2,540
- Requires high school diploma or GED certificate
- Post-baccalaureate program requires bachelor’s degree
Associate Degree
- Two years
- 60 credits
- Average annual cost of $3,560
- Requires high school diploma or GED certificate
Bachelor’s Degree
- Four years
- 120 credits
- Average annual cost of $16,010
- Requires high school diploma or GED certificate
- Degree completion program requires previous college credit
Students interested in online paralegal programs can earn a paralegal certificate, a paralegal associate degree, or a paralegal bachelor’s degree.
A paralegal certificate provides the basic qualifications for paralegal positions. These programs, which can be undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate level, focus primarily on core concepts in the field.
While some programs confer a non-credit paralegal certificate, others award credit that learners can apply toward an associate, bachelor’s, or graduate degree. Depending on the program, students can earn a paralegal certificate in as few as six months.
Students earning an associate in paralegal studies online complete major courses and general education requirements. Students in these two-year programs gain more foundational knowledge than learners in paralegal certificate programs.
Associate coursework often covers topics including English, communications, math, and foreign languages. Online paralegal associate degrees may offer concentration options and often include an internship or practicum experience, which may be optional or mandatory.
A bachelor’s in paralegal studies usually takes four years to finish 120 credits. Students complete some general education courses, like composition and communications, but most classes are major-specific, covering concepts like criminal procedures, estate planning, and civil litigation.
Some bachelor’s programs require internships where students gain on-the-job skills and firsthand experience of a paralegal’s daily responsibilities.
Courses in an Online Paralegal Certificate Program
- Essential Skills for Paralegals: This course introduces students to the legal field, including legal terminology. Learners study real legal cases and prepare to interview clients and identify different types of evidence. Students also learn how to use legal research tools and prepare summonses.
- The Legal Environment: Students learn basic skills for working in law firms, including how to track billable hours and maintain client files. The course also covers the ABA rules of ethics, to which all attorneys must adhere. Students learn how to access state and federal court files using Lexis and Westlaw.
- Civil Litigation: Students explore legal theory and practical legal skills. The class covers the entire legal process of a civil case, including the client interview and the post-judgement. Students learn how to preserve evidence, draft pleadings, draft interrogatories and requests, create digests, and draft motions.
Courses in an Online Paralegal Degree Program
- Legal Systems and Terminology: This introductory course helps students gain basic skills, such as summarizing and analyzing court cases and filing cases in the court system. The class covers legal terms that attorneys and paralegals use every day. Students also learn how to access resources in a law library.
- Legal Ethics: Students learn about the ethical rules that apply to legal professionals. Coursework covers rules of professional conduct, conflicts of interest, and how to protect confidentiality. Learners study the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct. They also learn how to appropriately use of electronic communications, including emails and social media.
- Legal Research and Writing: This course teaches students how to research statutes and analyze court decisions. Students learn how to use case digests to find state and federal cases. They also examine the proper format and language for legal documents. Students learn to write citations in accordance with the Washington Style Sheet and Uniform System of Citations.
ABA Approval of Online Paralegal Programs
Though paralegals cannot receive certification from the American Bar Association (ABA), they can earn their education from ABA-approved paralegal programs. Because the ABA requires programs to meet a difficult set of criteria, ABA approval demonstrates high quality.
Based on input from legal professionals, corporations, government agencies, and local bar associations, ABA-approved programs feature curricula designed to prepare paralegals for the workforce. A degree from an ABA-approved program is an attractive credential for job-seekers. Only about 25% of the country’s paralegal associate and bachelor’s programs hold ABA approval.
Choosing the Best Online Paralegal Program for You
Educational outcomes and learning experience vary by program, so students pursuing an online paralegal degree or certificate should research their options before selecting a school. Because earning a college degree or certificate requires significant financial and time commitments, students should choose an accredited online paralegal program that helps them achieve their career goals.
The list below includes crucial factors to consider when evaluating prospective schools.
Program Cost: The cost of earning a degree or certificate depends on various factors. In-state learners often pay lower tuition rates than out-of-state students, and online students may save money on tuition, transportation, and housing. Part-time learners typically pay more overall, although their cost per semester may prove lower than that for full-time students.
Transfer Policies: Accredited institutions rarely accept credits earned through unaccredited schools. Learners planning to transfer to a four-year school after earning an associate or certificate should research prospective schools’ transfer agreements and policies before enrolling.
Additionally, students with previous academic or professional experience should look for schools with generous transfer policies or options to receive credit for work experience.
School Size and Type: Some students prefer small class sizes, while others enjoy the resources and extracurricular activities available on larger campuses. Schools generally provide information about average class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios.
Private schools typically offer smaller class sizes than public schools. However, private colleges tend to list higher tuition rates than public institutions.
Program Length: Students planning to earn a certificate or a degree in paralegal studies online should consider each prospective program’s length. Paralegal certificate programs generally take about six months to complete, whereas an online paralegal associate degree typically takes two years. Each student’s program completion time depends on their personal situation and enrollment status. Part-time students typically take longer to graduate than full-time students.
On-Campus Requirements: Students who take classes on campus must regularly commute to school. Learners considering on-campus or hybrid programs should ensure that they can fit these synchronous obligations into their schedule. Students pursuing on-campus learning should also choose a school with a reasonable commute or factor the cost of relocation into their budget.
What Do Paralegals Do?
Paralegals help lawyers prepare solid cases. They gather information, conduct research on relevant laws and legal precedents, write reports, organize documents, and contact clients for interviews.
While they assist lawyers, paralegals cannot perform acts that require a legal license, including offering legal advice and setting legal fees.
Generalist paralegals often work in small law firms. They must know about a variety of legal areas and prove adept at performing many tasks. Aspiring paralegals can also specialize in a certain area or pursue certification in a niche. Common specialization areas for paralegals include:
- Corporate
- Criminal Defense
- Environmental Law
- Estate Planning and Probate
- Family Law
- Immigration
- Intellectual Property
- Litigation
- Real Estate
Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant
Law offices and professional organizations often use the terms “paralegal” and “legal assistant” interchangeably. Firms may use the term legal assistant to describe the nature of a paralegal’s job, which includes assisting legal professionals with cases.
Legal secretaries, on the other hand, have fewer responsibilities and more limitations than paralegals. Legal secretaries Typically, answer phone calls, manage front desks at law offices, and forward memos.
Salary Information for Paralegals
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Median Salary (May 2024)
$61,010
Employment Growth (2023-33)
1%
Industry | Median Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Finance and insurance | $76,960 |
Federal government | $77,940 |
Local government | $60,990 |
Legal services | $59,800 |
State government | $56,280 |
Job Title | Average Salary (September 2024) |
---|---|
Intellectual Property Paralegal | $76,910 |
Corporate Paralegal | $73,165 |
Litigation Paralegal | $63,048 |
Real Estate Paralegal | $58,536 |
Immigration Paralegal | $56,660 |
Becoming a Certified Paralegal
While the profession does not require certification, certification typically leads to more career opportunities for paralegals. Many employers require or prefer paralegals with professional certification.
To become a certified paralegal, candidates must meet the educational requirements of the certifying organization and must pass one or more certification exams. Some associate programs feature curricula designed to meet certification standards.
Paralegal Certification Exams
Candidates for paralegal certifications must typically pass an exam, such as:
- The Paralegal Core Competencies Exam
- The Certified Paralegal/Certified Legal Assistant Exam
- The Professional Paralegal Exam
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Paralegal Programs
A paralegal program can take anywhere from six months to four years to finish, depending on whether you pursue a certificate or degree. While you can complete a paralegal certificate in as little as six months, bachelor’s degrees in paralegal studies usually take four years.
Most paralegal positions require an associate degree in paralegal studies, making it a popular choice for prospective paralegals. However, government agencies and large law offices may require a bachelor’s degree.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest demand for paralegals occurs in the legal services industry — making finance, family law, estate planning, and other service-focused paralegals among the most sought-after. Some of the highest-employing industries for paralegals also include local, state, and federal government agencies, highlighting the demand for government paralegals.
Paralegals are challenged daily with meeting strict deadlines, paying close attention to details, and multitasking, which can lead to stressful work environments, especially in large corporations or law offices. Paralegals working in smaller settings who complete many of the same daily tasks may sometimes find their jobs monotonous.
BLS data from May 2024 shows that paralegals in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry earn a median annual wage of $135,610, making them the top paralegal earners. Other high-paying industries for paralegals include oil and gas extraction, publishing industries, and aerospace products manufacturing, all of which pay an average of more than $100,000 a year.