If you’re looking for an excellent career with a bright future, consider the paralegal profession.
The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has forecasted a high growth potential of around 18% in the coming years.
Paralegals earn a median yearly salary of $47,000, with the top earners averaging over $75,000 annually.
How do the top earners have a salary significantly higher than the median? Most have advanced training at the master’s degree level.
A post-bachelor’s degree is meant to refine existing skills and master specialties within the legal field.
This dramatically distinguishes candidates from those who hold bachelor’s or associate degrees.
Therefore, in addition to being more marketable to employers, enhanced training offers the opportunity to move into management later in your career.
To learn more about the best masters in paralegal programs, keep reading!
Schools
While many paralegal master’s degree programs exist, being the best is defined by the school’s reputation, accreditation status, superior curriculum, excellent facilities, and knowledgeable industry instructors.
Some of the best include the following:
1 Arizona State University
About
ASU has a Master of Legal Studies program offered by the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
Learners can begin taking the program full-time or part-time for busy adults and can start at the beginning of the fall or spring semester.
ASU offers the entire program online, on-campus, or a combination for maximum flexibility.
Also, ASU allows students to simultaneously pursue a graduate business degree to graduate with a dual master’s.
Courses / Programs Offered
Once accepted, students can select from various focus areas, including science and technology law, patent practice, and criminal law.
Each concentration requires courses like cross-border investigations and procedures, contract drafting and negotiation, and international contracts.
Also, most concentrations have optional internship opportunities for those who wish to gain real-world experience.
Additionally, students interested in continuing into the Juris Doctor program can enroll in the Master of Legal Studies honors option, which provides conditional approval into law school until the master’s degree is earned while meeting specific requirements.
To learn more about the ASU Master of Legal Studies program, call 855-278-5080.
Contact Information
- Address: Arizona State University 1151 S Forest Ave Tempe, AZ 85281
- Phone: 855-278-5080
- Website: Visit School Website
2 George Washington University
About
GWU is one of the most prestigious universities in the United States.
Instructors are exceptional existing and retired attorneys who know the law, so they give real-world situations to students during lectures.
All legal students at GWU can access the university’s notable Law School Library, which significantly helps with research projects.
Also, the school offers campus legal clinics to assist with complex topics, along with other students and professors.
Courses / Programs Offered
GWU’s master’s degree in legal studies is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
When first entering the program, students can focus their studies by selecting from one of the four concentrations:
Healthcare Corporate Compliance, International Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Government Law.
Students can contact GW Law faculty and staff by calling 202-994-1000.
Contact Information
- Address: The George Washington University 1918 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20052
- Phone: 202-994-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Hamline University
About
As the best university in Minnesota, Hamline University is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the ninth best in the Midwest.
Students can access an extensive alum support system in the area and the research law library.
The faculty are skilled existing or retired paralegals and attorneys with experience.
Classes are offered during the day or at night in the St. Paul and St. Louis Park locations.
Courses / Programs Offered
This ABA-approved and Higher Learning Commission of North Central Associations of Colleges and Schools-accredited program covers advanced legal writing, business law, the U.S. legal system, intellectual property, comparative justice, civil practice skills, mergers and acquisitions, and legal research.
To learn more about the Hamline degree, call 651-523-2207.
Contact Information
- Address: 1536 Hewitt Ave Saint Paul, MN 55104
- Phone: 651-523-2207
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Hodges University
About
With the main campus in Naples, Florida, Hodges University boasts five additional South Florida locations, including Pasco-Hernando Community College, South Florida State College, Florida Keys, Immokalee, and Fort Meyers.
Therefore, students can take the master’s degree program at any campus and receive a high education level due to the qualified attorney instructors.
Courses / Programs Offered
Hodges’s Master of Legal Studies degree focuses on conflict resolution and litigation preparation.
The program can be taken in a traditional brick-and-mortar location or online platform to maximize flexibility.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredited the program.
Click HERE to request more information about the Master of Legal Studies program at Hodges University.
Contact Information
- Address: 4501 Colonial Blvd Fort Myers, Florida 33966
- Phone: 1-239-938-7700
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Montclair State University
About
As New Jersey’s second-largest school behind Rutgers, Montclair State University is highly selective, so competitive admissions are fierce.
Well-established and highly successful attorneys train students entering the master of paralegal studies program.
The school offers a vibrant student life across its six colleges and schools, 17 NCAA sports teams, and 68 student organizations.
Also, students can easily access New York City by mass transit.
Courses / Programs Offered
Montclair State’s academic program was developed to balance practical experience and legal fundaments through the curriculum, thus allowing graduates to be competitive in any legal setting.
The program covers many topics, including corporate and business law, advanced legal writing and research, and intellectual property.
Given the school’s proximity to the biggest finance center in the world, the program delves heavily into business and corporate law topics.
To discuss your educational plans with a Montclair State University advisor, call 973-655-4000.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Normal Ave. Montclair, NJ 07043
- Phone: 973-655-4000
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Roosevelt University
About
Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 81st-best school in the Midwest, Roosevelt University features experienced attorney and paralegal instructors.
The school boasts an innovative program that prepares students to find and meet challenges in the legal field.
You must hold a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for the program.
Best of all, full-time students can graduate in as little as 4.5 months with intensive study, and part-time students can include a Saturday or online option to move the program along.
Courses / Programs Offered
ABA-approved and accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Roosevelt University’s master’s in legal studies curriculum heavily focuses on specific law types like government, corporate, environmental, and real estate.
For more information on the program, call the Chicago Campus at 312-341-3500.
Contact Information
- Address: 430 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
- Phone: 312-341-3500
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Texas State University
About
The Texas State University system is the fifth largest in the state.
Therefore, the school is positioned to give learners a comprehensive but competitive education.
The faculty comprises experienced and skilled attorneys who know that crafting successful paralegals requires responding to the field changes in recent years.
Graduates earn a Master of Arts in Legal Studies, which allows them to go into corporate law and private practices and work for government agencies and insurance companies.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited the university with the ABA-approved paralegal program.
Courses / Programs Offered
At the beginning of the program, students can specialize in one of the following legal areas:
Legal Administration, Environmental Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Most students in this program take the classes alongside the paralegal program because it only requires four additional semester hours.
Call Dr. Gregory Crossett, Graduate Advisor, at 512-245-2233 or email him at lc25@txstate.edu for more information about the master’s degree program.
Contact Information
- Address: 601 University Drive San Marcos, Texas 78666-4684
- Phone: 512-245-2233
- Website: Visit School Website
8 University of Nebraska - Lincoln
About
UNL’s College of Law offers a 33-credit hour Master of Legal Studies that requires a one-year time commitment for full-time students and up to three years for part-time attendees.
New students can only start the program in the fall since the curriculum is synchronous and only some classes are offered in specific semesters.
Many students opt to earn a dual master’s degree since the college allows the combination of a Master of Legal Studies with another program.
Courses / Programs Offered
The curriculum covers property, torts, contracts, legal research, legal writing, law and psychology, international law, and civil procedure.
Also, students must pass an oral examination to graduate.
Students interested in the UNL master’s degree program can call 402-472-2161 or use the online email form HERE.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 830902 Lincoln, NE 68583-0902
- Phone: 402-472-2161
- Website: Visit School Website
9 University of Southern California
About
USC is a world-renowned institution known for its high educational standards and easy access to the urban flair and diversity that Los Angeles offers.
The Gould School of Law has a Master of Studies in Law developed to prepare legal professionals for advanced legal knowledge without attending law school.
The degree comprises 18 electives and 21 core classes, two mandatory.
New students can be admitted in any semester and complete the program in a part-time or full-time fashion.
Courses / Programs Offered
Students taking the online or in-person format will study business law, American law, and constitutional law.
The online program utilizes several information delivery methods, including asynchronous course content and live lectures.
USC faculty can be contacted by calling 213-740-7331.
Contact Information
- Address: University Park Campus 3551 Trousdale Pkwy Los Angeles, CA 90007
- Phone: 213-740-7331
- Website: Visit School Website
10 Washington University
About
The online Master of Legal Studies offered by the Washington School of Law allows enrolled learners to take many of the same courses in the Juris Doctor program with the same professors teaching both.
The master’s degree program comprises 24 credits, which can be completed in a year with a full-time commitment.
Like many other leading programs, students start the program during any semester.
Courses / Programs Offered
Learners can select from many elective courses that focus on specific areas of the law, including intellectual property, health and commercial law, trial advocacy, legal writing, and civil procedure.
These classes are a fantastic way to understand which areas of law you want to focus on or which legal fields you want to avoid.
All incoming students are required to complete US Law and Methods before starting the program or in the first semester.
To learn more information, click HERE to download a brochure at the bottom of the page or to submit a request.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130
- Phone: (+1) 314-281-5200
- Website: Visit School Website
11 Webster University
About
Webster University boasts an excellent reputation because learners are taught by some of the best judges and lawyers in the state, all of whom are established professionals.
Also, when professors want to assist students, they invite them to intern at the firm, which benefits both parties.
Webster’s emphasizes a wide range of curriculum topics developed to give students a more comprehensive and detailed educational experience.
Graduates are prepared to work in all legal environments, and many continue to law school.
Courses / Programs Offered
Graduates of the program earn a master’s in legal studies and a concurrent paralegal certificate, which opens many doors.
As an ABA-approved and Higher Learning Commission-accredited program, students will learn more advanced topics, including environmental law, legal administration, government law, property law, disputes and conflict resolution, and compliance issues.
For more information, call 314-246-7800 or email admit@webster.edu.
Contact Information
- Address: 470 E. Lockwood Ave. St. Louis, MO 63119, USA
- Phone: 800-981-9801
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
I completed a master’s in paralegal studies, and it elevated my understanding of the law and my career. The quality of education and faculty expertise matter greatly.
When considering master’s programs in paralegal, it’s hard to evaluate factors like specialization options, research opportunities, and alignment with your career goals.
As a working paralegal, I’m really interested in pursuing a master’s to take my career to the next level. This list is helpful for comparing programs, especially those that offer part-time or online options for people like me who are working full-time.
I didn’t even know master’s programs for paralegals existed! This list gives me a lot to think about—I’m looking for ways to advance my career, and a specialized degree could be a great option.
I’m considering a career shift into the legal field, and it’s awesome to see there are advanced programs for paralegals. This post is definitely going to help me narrow down my options and find the right fit.