The work of a paralegal consists of assisting attorneys in a wide variety of legal tasks like:
- Performing interviews
- Scheduling appointments
- Drafting legal documents
The paralegal profession is estimated to grow by 14% by 2032, with approximately $46,000 positions opening up each year throughout the decade.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median annual salary for paralegals was $56,230 in 2021.
The median annual salary for those in the federal government industry – one of the top paralegal industries – was $69,680 that same year.
If you’re interested in starting a paralegal career and are searching for the best online paralegal Bachelor’s programs, keep reading!
1 Liberty University
About the School
Liberty University offers various online programs in multiple fields.
Students can select their degree of choice from the extensive list of certificates and degrees – ranging from Associate to Doctoral degrees – that the school offers.
Courses Offered
– Paralegal Bachelor’s Online Degree Program: The paralegal program is one of L.U.’s hidden gems. This fully online degree is 120 credit hours and can be completed in 3.5 years.
The program:
- Introduces students to legal jargon, laws, and statutes
- Focuses on family law and criminal law principles – the theories, principles, sources, and practices.
- Exposes the students to applicable regulations – like the legal limitations of law enforcement
Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at Liberty University can estimate the cost of their tuition and fees on the school’s website and apply for the various forms of financial aid that the school offers – e.g., grants, scholarships, loans, and grants.
Contact Information
- Address: 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, VA 24515
- Phone: 800-424-9595
- Website: Visit School Website
2 A&M Commerce
About the School
The school offers various in-person and online programs from fields such as:
- Business
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Humanities, Social Sciences, and Art
Courses Offered
– Online Paralegal Studies BS/BA: This fully online program is 120 credit hours and can be finalized in 4 years.
Students pursuing their B.A. are also required to finalize 12 foreign credit hours.
In comparison, these credits are only voluntary for students pursuing their B.S.
The online program offers hands-on training that equips students with an in-depth understanding of legal principles and their applicability in the workplace.
Students will learn the ins and outs of the job and begin to understand how theoretical skills translate into the daily work of a paralegal.
One of this program’s main goals is to equip students with an extensive knowledge of procedural law and the correct methods to apply it in their work.
Contact Information
- Address: 2200 Campbell Street, Commerce, TX 75428
- Phone: 866-649-4919
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Regent University
About the School
This private Christian university was founded in 1977 and offers more than 150 Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs.
Students can select their desired program from the school’s extensive academic degree list, which includes programs like Elementary Education, Theater, Accounting, and Psychology.
One program worth mentioning is the university’s Bachelor Degree of Science in Paralegal Studies.
Courses Offered
– B.S. in Paralegal Studies: This online program is 120 credit hours and equips students with the necessary skills to succeed in this field.
In this program, students will learn how to essentially:
- Draft motions and other legal documentation, as needed
- Interview clients
- Keep track of the finances and records involved in their cases
- Manage case files
Upon graduation, students can pursue careers in multiple fields, such as Paralegal, Legal Assistant, and Litigation Support Analyst.
The tuition cost for this program is $395/credit hour for full-time students.
To be a full-time student, you must take 12 or more credit hours each semester.
The average tuition for a full-time student taking 12 credit hours is $4,740 per semester.
Contact Information
- Address: 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464
- Phone: 800-373-5504
- Website: Visit School Website
4 William Woods University
About the School
According to its official website, William Woods University prides itself on offering “unique undergraduate programs, including an internationally recognized equestrian studies program, a four-year American Sign Language interpreting program, and a criminal justice degree with homeland security emphasis.”
One such notable program the school offers is the B.S. in Paralegal Studies.
Courses Offered
– Online Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies: The program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills to succeed in their chosen field.
This degree consists of 42 credit hours and includes courses like:
- Ethics and the Law Office
- Family Law
- Evidence and Fact Gathering
- Electronic Legal Research
Contact Information
- Address: One University Ave, Fulton, MO 65251
- Phone: 800-995-3159
- Website: Visit School Website
5 EKU Online
About the School
The university offers over 100 programs, ranging from Associate degrees to Master’s degrees and undergraduate certificates.
Those interested in a paralegal program can choose between an AAS in Paralegal Studies, a B.A. in Paralegal Science, and a Post-Baccalaureate in Paralegal Science; the former two can be taken consecutively.
The cost of tuition is $434/credit hour for each program.
Courses Offered
– AAS in Paralegal Studies: This online program consists of 64 credit hours and accepts up to 49 hours of transfer credit.
By the time they graduate, students will have the right tools to enter the workforce and succeed in an entry-level position.
Those who choose to continue their higher education can also pursue their Bachelor’s degree at the university.
– B.A. in Paralegal Science: To graduate, students must complete 120 credit hours – up to 90 credit hours can be accepted as transfer credit.
The curriculum for this program consists of courses such as these:
- Introduction to Law
- Real Estate Practice
- Law and Politics of Civil Liberties
– Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Science: To graduate from this program, students must complete no less than 30 credit hours.
The program is designed for students who have acquired their Bachelor’s degree in a field other than paralegal science.
Additionally, this certificate aims to equip students to enter the workforce in less than two years.
Contact Information
- Address: 521 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, KY 40475
- Phone: 859-622-4455
- Website: Visit School Website
6 University of Cincinnati Online
About the School
The university offers programs from Associate to Doctoral degrees, certificates, and Endorsements at all levels.
Upon perusing the university catalog, you will come across two paralegal programs, which are fully online and equip students for succeeding in this field.
Courses Offered
– Associate of Applied Business in Law and Paralegal Studies:
This fully online program prepares students for the workforce by teaching them to:
- Perform legal research
- Draft motions and other legal documents
- Use legal software quickly and effectively
– Bachelor of Science in Law and Paralegal Studies: The program focuses on practical skills that translate well into the workforce.
Some of the courses included in the curriculum are:
- Law Office Technology
- Legal Research and Writing
- Civil Litigation
The tuition costs vary based on residency, enrollment status, and specific fees.
For example, a full-time resident student’s tuition for one semester is $3,534.00, whereas for a non-resident student, the cost goes up to $3,714.00 per semester.
Contact Information
- Address: 57 W Daniels St, Cincinnati, OH 45219
- Phone: 866-463-7187
- Website: Visit School Website
7 University of Maryland - Global Studies
About the School
The university provides on-campus courses on three continents – the U.S., Europe, and Asia – as well as online classes.
Courses Offered
– Online Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies: The online program consists of 120 credit hours in a fully online format.
To graduate, students must complete 41 general education credit hours and 46 general and elective credit hours.
This online degree consists of 33 credit hours of required major courses.
Some examples of the courses offered in this program are:
- Legal Ethics
- Torts
- Domestic Relations
As we have seen with other universities, the cost of tuition can vary quite significantly between in-state and out-of-state students.
For reference, tuition costs $318/credit hour for in-state residents, whereas the cost goes up to $499/credit hour for out-of-state students.
Contact Information
- Address: 3501 University Blvd. East, Adelphi, MD 20783
- Phone: 855-655-8682
- Website: Visit School Website
8 National University
About the School
The university offers in-person and online courses from multiple areas of study, such as:
- Business and Marketing
- Arts and Humanities
- Law
Courses Offered
– B.S. in Paralegal Studies: Students can pursue their degree by taking classes in-person or online.
The program’s curriculum is divided into Required courses (e.g., Torts, Contract Laws) and Specializations (e.g., Corporation, Criminal Law, and Litigations).
To complete the program, students are required to take no less than nine credit hours per semester.
Contact Information
- Address: 9388 Lightwave Ave, San Diego, CA 92123
- Phone: 855-355-6288
- Website: Visit School Website
9 National American University
About the School
The university prides itself on offering affordable, fully online programs and a “generous transfer policy,” according to its official website.
Students can select their desired program from a long list of degrees (ranging from Associate’s to doctoral degrees ), certificates, and training opportunities.
Courses Offered
– Paralegal Studies Online Bachelor’s Degree: This program consists of
- 90 Paralegal Major Core credits
- 24.5 Core credits
- 66 General Education Core credits
The average yearly total tuition cost for students living off-campus is $29,420, though the school offers multiple financial aid options to lower a student’s financial burden.
Contact Information
- Address: 5301 Mt. Rushmore Road, Rapid City, SD 57701
- Phone: 800-621-7440
- Website: Visit School Website
10 University of Central Florida
About the School
The university provides students with over 200 programs from 13 colleges.
According to its website, the University of Central Florida has been voted in the Top 20 Best Colleges in Innovation in 2024 by the U.S. News and World Report.
Students can choose their program from a list of 244 Bachelor’s degrees, 219 Master’s degrees, and 81 doctorate degrees.
Courses Offered
– Online Legal Studies B.A./B.S. Degree: This online, 120-credit hour program aims to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience they need for a successful paralegal career.
The curriculum focuses on various ideologies, principles, and types of laws, such as International Law, Family Law, and Advocacy.
Additionally, prospective students should expect to gain skills like:
- Performing legal research
- Drafting legal paperwork
- Applying theoretical legal principles to real-life situations.
Contact Information
- Address: 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, Florida, 32816
- Phone: 855-903-8576
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Found my alma matter on the list. I couldn’t be any prouder.
This is such a great resource for anyone considering a career as a paralegal! Online bachelor’s programs make it so much easier to balance work and studies. Does anyone have experience with these programs and can share how they prepared you for the workforce?