If you’re a Nebraska resident considering a non-attorney career within the legal field, becoming a paralegal might be a great option to meet your goals.
With law firms across the U.S. trimming their budgets, many opt for paralegal professionals to help support attorneys.
Typical paralegal duties include assisting lawyers during trials, interviewing clients, performing legal research, organizing and maintaining files, investigating facts, drafting professional documents, and obtaining formal statements and affidavits.
To be employed as a paralegal, you must earn an associate degree.
To learn more about the best paralegal programs in Nebraska to kickstart your career, keep reading!
Schools
Several schools in Nebraska offer in-classroom learning for those who require the discipline and scheduling of being physically in the room.
Those who need more flexibility can take advantage of hybrid and entirely online programs.
1 Arizona State University
About
ASU is a world-renowned university offering over 300 online certificates and degrees, so those living in Nebraska who want to take a legal studies program can earn an online master’s degree.
This program focuses on students who wish to learn more about the law in their field rather than practice it.
The program develops a foundation in U.S. law with ten available electives that can be selected to focus more on the student’s career goals.
The program requires 30 credit hours, requiring a time commitment of up to two years.
Courses / Programs Offered
The coursework includes property, intellectual property, fundamentals of contract law, criminal procedure, criminal law, administrative regulations and agencies, U.S. law, and legal analysis.
Students interested in learning more about the ASU program should call 855-278-5080.
Contact Information
- Address: Tempe, AZ 85281
- Phone: 855-278-5080
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Bellevue University
About
Offering various undergraduate and graduate programs developed to help students in each step of their career, Bellevue University has online or on-campus options across the 80 career-focused programs.
The Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency, accredits the school.
Among the 80 programs, the school has a legal studies degree helping students looking to enter law school or the industry.
Courses / Programs Offered
The curriculum includes many foundational classes like the practice of law, legal theory, foundation for legal studies, ethics in law, professional responsibility, legal research and writing, constitutional law, emerging policy, and the role and rule of law in life and death.
Students pursuing a legal studies degree should call 402-293-2000 or visit the school at 1000 Gavin Road South, Bellevue, Nebraska 68005.
Contact Information
- Address: 1000 Galvin Rd S, Bellevue, NE 68005
- Phone: 800-756-7920
- Website: Visit School Website
3 CLS by BARBRI
About
The Center for Legal Studies (CLS) is not located in Nebraska but offers an online paralegal program comprising text-only, live lectures and an online portal.
In addition to the flexibility provided by online programs for busy working professionals, this program is self-paced so that students can learn and work at their optimal pace from home.
This paralegal certificate costs $1,900, and the format is split into seven-week instructor sessions.
The online platform permits 24/7 online course access with printed tutorials and videos.
Courses / Programs Offered
The program curriculum covers foundational legal topics students need for graduate success, including personal injury, legal writing, research, a paralegal certificate course, eDiscovery for paralegals, ethics, and numerous other topics.
For more information about the CLS paralegal certificate program, call 800-522-7737.
Contact Information
- Address: 12222 Merit Drive, Suite 1340 Dallas, TX 75251
- Phone: 800-522-7737
- Website: Visit School Website
4 College of St. Mary
About
Located in Omaha, the College of St. Mary offers students three paralegal degrees: a post-bachelor certificate, a Bachelor of Arts, and an associate of arts.
The bachelor’s degree is a 128-credit hour program with 44 credit hours reserved for general core educational classes like math, science, and English, taking around four years.
The associate degree can be completed as quickly as a year and a half. All programs are ABA-approved, which is a requirement for national certifications.
Courses / Programs Offered
Although the bachelor’s and associate degree programs are more detailed and comprehensive, all three educational paths cover basic topics like ethics, legal research and writing, litigation, criminal law, organizational law, and procedure.
No internship is required, but the department recommends it so students can gain firsthand experience, making them more marketable to potential employers.
Students interested in this program should complete the online information request form HERE.
The school’s website also offers a place to apply and schedule a visit.
As an alternative, students can call administrators at 402-399-2400 or email information@csm.edu.
Contact Information
- Address: 7000 Mercy Rd, Omaha, NE 68106
- Phone: 402-399-2400
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Donane College
About
Situated in Lincoln, Donane College has been operating since the 1870s, expanding programs every few years to meet the needs of employers, including a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies.
By the end of the program, students will learn to navigate standard law libraries and gain a higher understanding of the nature of legal research.
The program costs $32,200 but is not ABA-approved.
The curriculum includes interviewing and investigation, criminal and civil laws, the American legal system, legal drafting and writing, litigation, arbitration, and pleadings, and an introduction to legal research.
Contact Information
Students interested in Donane College should call 402-826-2161 or complete the online request form HERE.
Contact Information
- Address: 1014 Boswell Ave, Crete, NE 68333
- Phone: 402-826-2161
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Generations College
About
As a two-year private college in Chicago, Generations College is ABA-approved and Higher Learning Commission-accredited for its legal studies program.
The average annual cost for online students is $19,200, including tuition, fees, and books.
Generations College’s legal studies program focuses on giving students the skills needed for future certification and entry-level work across many industries.
Courses / Programs Offered
During the program, students learn foundational skills like real estate law, wills, criminal law, organizational law, ethics, legal drafting documents, how to interview a client, and life skills like public speaking, time management, and proper organizational tactics.
The emphasis on life skills is critical for those who enter the industry immediately, attend law school, or move into other fields.
For those interested in learning more about the Generations College online program, call 312-922-1884 or contact administrators on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Contact Information
- Address: Heyworth Building, 29 E Madison St 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60602
- Phone: 312-922-1884
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Johnson County Community College
About
In Overland Park, Kansas, Johnson County Community College is just a short drive for southeastern Nebraska residents.
Students enrolled in their legal studies program will gain the foundational knowledge to seek employment within the government, corporations, small practices, insurance companies, or other employers that require paralegal staff.
The program also prepares students to sit for the certified paralegal examination.
Out-of-state annual tuition is $5,350, including fees.
Courses / Programs Offered
The program curriculum comprises torts, how to interview a client, litigation, arbitration, legal writing, research and analysis, ethics, the American law system, business law, criminal law, and real estate law.
For more information about the school and program, students can contact the school via Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube or by dialing 913-469-8500.
Contact Information
- Address: 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210
- Phone: 913-469-8500
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Kaplan University
About
Kaplan University offers a Bachelor of Science in legal studies, which requires a four-year commitment to full-time online study.
The curriculum is regularly evaluated to ensure it’s updated and students can learn the practical application of legal skills and knowledge.
The school is incredibly flexible, offering multiple start dates so participants can begin the program when comfortable.
Kaplan also provides a fast track to a master’s program, which allows aspiring paralegals to take graduate classes while pursuing their undergraduate degree.
Tuition costs around $66,800 for the entire program, which is not ABA-approved.
Courses / Programs Offered
Although the program requires some general education core classes, students learn about torts, legal philosophy, constitutional law, an introduction to legal analysis and writing, advanced research and writing, and law and society.
Those interested in pursuing a bachelor’s in paralegal studies can access the school’s website HERE for more information.
Contact Information
- Address: 1801 E Kimberly Rd, Davenport, IA, Services NEC
- Phone: 888-323-5592
- Website: Visit School Website
9 Metropolitan Community College
About
Metropolitan Community College offers numerous career-focused academic programs created to prepare graduates for field certifications and entry-level positions.
The school is Higher Learning Commission-accredited and approved by the Nebraska State Department of Education for military veterans seeking to advance their education.
Students enrolled in the paralegal and legal studies program offered by MCC will earn an associate degree.
Courses / Programs Offered
Topics covered during the program include legal writing and research, law office technology, information about the paralegal profession, and an introduction to the legal profession and law.
Students must also complete a laws capstone to complete the program.
Furthermore, students have electric requirements and can choose a focus area by selecting from immigration law, legal specialist, litigation specialist, or transactional law specialist coursework.
The synchronous electives instruction requires 13.5 quarter credit hours as part of graduation requirements.
Students interested in the MCC associate in paralegal studies program can call 531-633-1301 for more information or stop by the campus at 829 North 204th Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022.
Contact Information
- Address: 5300 N 30th St, Omaha, NE 68111
- Phone: 531-622-5231
- Website: Visit School Website
10 Nebraska College of Law
About
Delivering legal education through the instruction of legal professionals, the Nebraska College of Law offers a Master of Legal Studies created for those who don’t want to practice law but understand how the law is incorporated into their expertise.
The program is jointly offered with the Graduate College and College of Law, so those with bachelor’s degrees qualify for admission.
The program requires a time commitment of 33 credit hours, which takes around two years.
Courses / Programs Offered
During the program, students learn about property, torts, contracts, legal research and writing, legal analysis, how to interview a client, legal terminology, and litigation.
Although students gain the knowledge for certification post-graduation, it’s other than the program’s focus.
Those interested in attending the Nebraska College of Law or who want more information are urged to call 403-472-2161.
Contact Information
- Address: 1875 N 42nd St, Lincoln, NE 68503
- Phone: 402-472-2161
- Website: Visit School Website
11 University of Nebraska Omaha
About
Located at 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68182, the University of Nebraska offers various training programs for students fresh out of high school and continuing education professionals.
In-state tuition and fees cost $8,370 annually for full-time studies of at least 27 credit hours.
The school is Higher Learning Commission-accredited and offers a secondary concentration in legal studies.
Courses / Programs Offered
The program curriculum includes inclusion, access, equity, and diversity solutions for minimizing risk, ethical and legal applications, legal research, and writing and preparing documents.
Students must take law electives, which include risk management for business managers, basic appraisal procedures, legal issues in management, real estate law, and special problems in law and society.
In addition to campus tours, budding paralegals are urged to call the school at 402-554-2800 for more information about the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 6001 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68182
- Phone: 402-554-2800
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Paralegal Salary Information
The average U.S. annual paralegal compensation is $58,300, with pay ranging from $88,900 to $38,200.
Nebraska paralegals experience a yearly salary of $37,600, ranging from $29,200 to $48,400.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$55K |
|
$62K |
|
$71K |
Average Salary in Nebraska
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $63,411 |
| Lincoln | $62,851 |
| Bellevue | $63,411 |
| Grand Island | $63,411 |
| Kearney | $61,979 |
| Fremont | $62,405 |
| Hastings | $61,979 |
| North Platte | $60,814 |
| Norfolk | $57,620 |
| Arlington | $62,480 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island, NE | 40 | $47,670 | $22.92 | $61,870 | $35,670 |
| Lincoln, NE | 460 | $56,810 | $27.31 | $74,710 | $41,350 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 920 | $59,400 | $28.56 | $82,800 | $41,380 |
* 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
I appreciate the variety of options listed here. Makes it easier to find the best fit for my career goals.
It’s reassuring to know that Nebraska offers quality paralegal programs. Planning to enroll soon!
Great list! As someone considering a career in law, it’s helpful to see the options available in Nebraska.