The future for paralegals looks great, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicating that there will be nearly 15,000 paralegals hired within the next few years.
Indiana does not require paralegals to have a specific certification or license to work as a paralegal in the State of Indiana.
People who have the best chance of getting hired as a new paralegal in the state complete a paralegal education program.
Students have many options to complete an Indiana paralegal program.
Some students earn a certification after completing one of the paralegal programs in Indiana.
1 Marian University
About the School
Marian University, which is located minutes away from Downtown Indianapolis, offers an online paralegal program in an accelerated format.
The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
Complete an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies degree in an online format at Marian University.
Students earn their degree in just 14 months, compared to the two years that it normally takes to complete an associate degree program.
The university offers nine start dates each year.
The program consists of 66 credit hours of study.
Students have the benefit of having a mentor who shares similar specialization interests.
Some courses in the program include Introduction to the Paralegal Profession, Legal Writing and Communication, Civil Litigation for the Paralegal, and Legal Research.
Students also complete Legal Liability
Contracts for the Paralegal, Legal Liability
Torts for the Paralegal, and the Case Practice Management and Technology Capstone.
Contact Information
- Address: 3200 Cold Spring Rd., Indianapolis, IN., 46222
- Phone: 317-955-6000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Indiana University South Bend
About the School
Indiana University allows students who complete the Paralegal Studies Certificate program to apply the credit hours towards a degree at the school.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the one-year Paralegal Studies Certificate program at Indiana University South Bend complete the program in a traditional classroom format.
Some students choose to earn a paralegal certificate at the school after earning an undergraduate or graduate degree.
The courses offered in the 21-credit, part-time program include Legal Research and Writing for Paralegal Studies, Business Organizations, Litigation, and Estate Law for Paralegal Studies.
Students complete two seminars.
They include the Paralegal Methods in Litigation Seminar, and the Client Interviewing Saturday Seminar.
Contact Information
- Address: 1700 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, Indiana, 46615
- Phone: 574-520-4261
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Ivy Tech Community College – Certificate
About the School
Ivy Tech Community College offers two paralegal certificate programs that are available at several locations.
Courses Offered
Ivy Tech Community College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offers two certificate programs.
The school offers the Paralegal Studies – Short Term Certificate program and the Paralegal Studies Technical Certificate program.
Some students who enroll in the Paralegal Studies Short-Term Certificate program are legal professionals who want to advance their careers.
Students often enroll in the program as returning students.
They want to further their studies or to consider whether working as a paralegal is a good career choice.
Students complete the 18-credit program in three or four semesters.
The curriculum consists of six courses. Courses include Legal Research, Civil Procedure, and Introduction to Legal Studies.
Ivy Tech Community College indicates that the Paralegal Studies Technical Certificate program is a long-term certificate program.
The curriculum of the 31-credit hour program builds upon the short-term certificate program.
It is the recommended pathway to the school’s associate degree program in paralegal studies.
Students complete the program in four to five semesters.
Program courses include Legal Research, Law Office Technology, Legal Writing, and Legal Ethics.
Students also take one technical elective course.
Contact Information
- Address: 3501 N. First Ave., Evansville, IN, 47710
- Phone: 888-489-5463
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Ivy Tech Community College – Degree
About the School
Ivy Tech Community College offers the accredited Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science program.
Courses offered
Gain a solid foundation in the knowledge and skills required of a paralegal by completing the Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science program at Ivy Tech Community College.
Students complete the 60-credit hour program in five to six semesters.
They choose one of eight Ivy Tech Community College locations to earn their degree.
One option is at the campus that is located in Bloomington, Indiana.
Topics covered in the program include legal research, contract law, commercial law, law office technology, and legal ethics for paralegals.
Some of the courses include Introduction to Legal Studies, Legal Research, Litigation, Procedural Criminal Law, and Rhetoric and Argument.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Daniels Way, Bloomington, IN, 47404
- Phone: 888-489-5463
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Purdue University Global
About the School
Purdue University Global is the largest provider of legal support services programs in the country.
The university offers an online Pathway to Paralegal Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program.
Courses Offered
The Purdue Global Online Pathway to Paralegal Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program is offered to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Students who enroll in this program want to transition into the legal field or enhance their career opportunities.
The accredited program provides students with the knowledge and skills that are required of paralegals.
The focus is on topics such as learning how to communicate in legal environments, learning how to conduct legal research, and applying critical thinking skills.
The curriculum also focuses on analyzing theoretical and practical concepts, and ethical decision-making in the paralegal profession.
Some courses in the program include Introduction to the Law and Legal Profession, Law Office Management, Legal Ethics, Legal Research and Writing, and Civil Litigation.
Students choose one elective from options such as Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, and Real Estate Law.
Contact Information
- Address: 2550 Northwestern Ave., Suite 1100, West Lafayette, IN, 47906
- Phone: 844-787-3834
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Ball State University
About the School
The Ball State University Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies and the Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies programs are included in the American Bar Association’s Directory of ABA Approved Paralegal Education programs.
The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
Ball State University indicates that it offers one of the fewer than 300 paralegal education programs in the country that are approved by the American Bar Association.
Some topics covered in the program may vary somewhat, based on whether the student pursues the Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies program or the Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program.
Both of the programs provide future paralegals with the skills and knowledge that are needed for them to excel in the profession.
Students choose either the Business Law option or the Public Law option.
Some courses offered in the Ball State University program include Advanced Legal Research and Writing, Litigation, Advanced Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Family Law.
Contact Information
- Address: 2000 W. University Ave., Muncie, IN, 47306
- Phone: 765-289-1241
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis
About the School
Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, commonly referred to as IUPUI, offers a Paralegal Certificate program.
The school proudly indicates that 100 percent of its recent graduates are employed in the paralegal field.
Courses Offered
The Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis Paralegal Studies Certificate program is for students who already have a bachelor’s degree.
The program is approved by the American Bar Association.
Students complete courses in the 27-credit hour program in a traditional face-to-face format at the Downtown Indianapolis campus.
Topics covered in the program include developing an understanding of various legal concepts and structures, learning how to analyze and evaluate legal situations, and developing effective communication skills.
Some other topics include using legal research tools, understanding and applying procedural rules, and using legal technology to complete the work of a paralegal.
The program courses include Legal Research and Writing for Paralegal Studies, Litigation for Paralegal Studies, Professional Responsibility for Paralegals, and Judicial Politics.
Some other courses in the program include Property Law for Paralegal Studies, Contract Law for Paralegal Studies, Criminal Law for Paralegal Studies, and Tort Law for Paralegal Studies.
Students complete the three-credit-hour Field Experience for Paralegal Studies.
Contact Information
- Address: 425 University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN, 46202
- Phone: 317-274-1456
- Website: Visit School Website
8 University of Southern Indiana
About the School
The University of Southern Indiana offers the Online Certified Paralegal program that prepares students to sit for and pass the Certified Paralegal Exam.
Courses Offered
Gain the skills to become a paralegal by enrolling in the Online Certified Paralegal program at the University of Southern Indiana.
The school offers a 12-month, self-paced program through ED2GO.
Students who enroll in the program receive membership to the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and access to the NALA’s Certified Paralegal Exam Review courses if they plan to sit for the certification exam.
Some of the courses include Paralegal in the Legal System, Introduction to Legal Analysis, Investigation in a Law Office, and Introduction to Law Office Administration.
Students also take courses such as Tort Law, Product Liability, and Consumer Law, Legal Interviewing, and Laws Affecting Business.
Contact Information
- Address: 8600 University Blvd., Extended Services, Evansville, IN, 47712
- Phone: 855-520-6806
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Paralegal Salary Information
The salary range for paralegals who work in Indiana is between $57,854 and $73,783.
Salary.com lists the average salary for paralegals in the State of Indiana as $65,217, as of August 2023.
How much a paralegal makes depends on several factors.
The city where a paralegal works may affect their salary.
The August 2023 median salary for a paralegal who works in Anderson, Indiana was $61,927, while the median salary for a paralegal who works in Gary, Indiana was $66,845.
A paralegal who works in Indianapolis can expect to earn a median salary of $65,070, while a paralegal who works in Fort Wayne can expect to earn a median annual salary of $62,389.
The level of experience affects the salary of a paralegal.
A paralegal who has no experience will earn less than a paralegal who has several years of experience.
A paralegal who completes a paralegal program usually earns a higher salary than someone who did not complete an Indiana paralegal program.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$57K |
|
$65K |
|
$73K |
Average Salary in Indiana
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $65,070 |
| Fort Wayne | $62,389 |
| Evansville | $63,209 |
| South Bend | $63,057 |
| Gary | $66,845 |
| Hammond | $66,845 |
| Bloomington | $61,602 |
| Muncie | $61,686 |
| Anderson | $61,927 |
| Terre Haute | $61,399 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 120 | $49,390 | $23.74 | $78,830 | $34,060 |
| Columbus, IN | 40 | $43,930 | $21.12 | $58,830 | $31,710 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 220 | $48,040 | $23.1 | $58,270 | $32,910 |
| Evansville, IN-KY | 240 | $47,390 | $22.78 | $75,650 | $30,290 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 450 | $52,320 | $25.16 | $75,120 | $35,210 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN | 2,410 | $61,750 | $29.69 | $89,410 | $38,480 |
| Kokomo, IN | 50 | $48,930 | $23.53 | $65,000 | $36,130 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 110 | $49,210 | $23.66 | $68,350 | $35,440 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 50 | $46,060 | $22.15 | $64,790 | $30,130 |
| Muncie, IN | 70 | $40,100 | $19.28 | $46,260 | $30,530 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 200 | $50,120 | $24.1 | $74,540 | $35,220 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 130 | $45,380 | $21.82 | $76,660 | $30,310 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Paralegal Programs by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
It’s refreshing to see Indiana getting recognition for its paralegal programs. Sometimes smaller states are overlooked, but there’s definitely quality education to be found here.
I’ve been researching paralegal programs for a while now, and this list confirmed my suspicions about some of the top contenders.