The State of Ohio does not have college education requirements to become a paralegal.
Ohio does offer a voluntary paralegal certification program.
The Ohio Bar Association indicates that obtaining the voluntary Ohio Bar Paralegal Certification “provides a valuable credential for paralegals in Ohio.
”The certification will also “assist lawyers and law firms in identifying the highly qualified paralegal professionals.”
These colleges and universities offer paralegal programs that will prepare students to work in diverse legal settings.
Program graduates are likely to earn a better salary, compared to paralegals who do not complete a paralegal program.
1 Columbus State Community College – A.A.S.
About the School
The Paralegal Studies Associate in Science program at Columbus State Community College recognizes the growth of legal services and the need for qualified paralegals in Ohio.
The program provides students with the basic competencies and the technical competencies to be successful as a paralegal.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Studies Associate in Science program consists of 64 credit hours of study.
It is offered in a hybrid format, which means that students take courses through a blend of traditional classes and in an online format.
The program, which cannot be completed entirely online, provides students with the necessary communication skills, technical skills, and knowledge of ethical responsibilities as a paralegal.
Courses offered in the five-semester program include Intro to Paralegal Studies and Ethics, Research and Writing, Law Office and Technology, Advanced Legal Research, and Civil Practice and Procedure.
Students take six credit hours of technical electives.
They choose from courses such as Electronic Discovery, Computer Assisted Legal Research, and Intellectual Property.
Contact Information
- Address: 550 E. Spring St., Columbus, Ohio, 43215
- Phone: 614-287-5353
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Columbus State Community College – Paralegal Studies Certificate
About the School
Columbus State Community College offers a Post-Baccalaureate Paralegal Studies option for students who already hold an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a doctoral degree.
Courses Offered
The 33 to 35-credit-hour program prepares students to apply legal standards in a proficient manner.
They learn to recognize and adhere to the legal ethical standards of paralegals.
Students learn effective communication skills for paralegals and to recognize and analyze legal problems.
Some courses offered in this four-semester program include Administrative Law, Torts and Contracts, Law Office Technology, and Civil Practice and Procedure.
Contact Information
- Address: 550 E. Spring St., Columbus, Ohio, 43215
- Phone: 614-287-5353
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Sinclair College
About the School
Sinclair College offers students two options to complete a paralegal program.
The first program is the Legal Studies PAR.S.AAS program.
The Associate of Applied Science degree program consists of 61 credit hours.
It is taught in a simulated office environment.
The program is approved by the American Bar Association
Courses Offered
Students conduct research online and in professional law libraries.
They gain skills in areas that include current practices, technology, and ethical concepts.
Some courses include Legal Research and Writing, Legal Technology, Litigation, and Business Law. Students complete a paralegal internship.
The Paralegal Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is a 12-month program for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Students want to develop their skills as a paralegal or to advance their skills to give them improved career options.
The program consists of 35 credit hours of study.
Students complete courses such as Advanced Legal Research and Writing, and Paralegal Principles.
Contact Information
- Address: 444 W. Third St., Dayton, Ohio, 45402
- Phone: 800-315-3000
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Miami University
About the School
Miami University offers an online Certified paralegal program through ED2GO.
The tuition for the program includes a voucher for prepaid access to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) upon the student’s eligibility.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the ED2GO program through the Miami University Global Initiative learn to perform the duties that paralegals perform daily.
They learn the fundamental concepts of the U.S. legal system.
Students gain the skills to perform legal research, draft legal documents, and to perform legal research and conduct legal interviews.
The program is a 12-month program.
Some courses include Paralegal in the Legal System, Introduction to Legal Analysis, and Legal Interviewing.
Students also complete other courses, including Investigation in a Law Office, Legal Writing, and Litigation Management.
Contact Information
- Address: 214 MacMillan Hall, 501 E. Spring St., Oxford, Ohio 45056
- Phone: 855-520-6806
- Website: Visit School Website
5 University of Cincinnati – Clermont
About the School
The University of Cincinnati – Clermont offers an online Law and Paralegal Studies certificate for students who have already earned a minimum of an associate degree.
The program is for students who want to change careers or who want to further their paralegal studies.
Courses Offered
The certificate program in Law and Paralegal Studies consists of a minimum of 24 credit hours.
It takes 12 months to complete the program.
The program prepares students to work in a variety of legal fields.
Courses that students take in this program include Introduction to Legal Studies, Law Office Technology, Corporate Law and Business Organizations, and Estate Planning and Probate.
Students also complete Civil Litigation, Administrative Litigation, and a Legal Clinic course.
Contact Information
- Address: 2600 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45221
- Phone: 513-566-0000
- Website: Visit School Website
6 University of Cincinnati Online
About the School
The University of Cincinnati Online Bachelor of Science in Law and Paralegal Studies program provides students with in-demand skills to work in the vital role of a paralegal.
The school offers the program completely online with no on-campus visit requirements.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Science in Law and Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association.
Students can enjoy the flexibility of completing the program on a part-time basis, or by completing the required courses on a full-time basis.
The curriculum includes courses such as Introduction to Legal Studies, Legal Research and Writing, Civil Litigation, Estate Planning, and Probate.
Some other courses include Criminal Procedure, Real Estate Law, and Investigative Techniques and Evidence.
Contact Information
- Address: 2600 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45221
- Phone: 513-566-0000
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Cleveland State University
About the School
The Cleveland State University Division of Continuing and Extended Education offers an online Paralegal Professional Online Certification Course.
It provides an in-depth understanding of the role of paralegals in the legal system and 24-hour learner support.
Courses Offered
Students who have a minimum of a high school education can explore their eligibility to complete the Cleveland State University Paralegal Professional Online Certification through ED2GO to develop a comprehensive understanding of the ethical responsibility that they have as a paralegal, along with the skills that are needed to become a successful paralegal.
Students take courses that help them develop their technology skills, and that explore common areas of the law.
They develop an overview of the state courts and the federal courts.
Students gain skills in legal writing, legal research, litigation, civil procedure, and career opportunities for trained paralegals.
Contact Information
- Address: 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, 44115
- Phone: 216-875-9731
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Kent State University
About the School
Kent State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies program and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program.
Courses Offered
The 121-credit hour Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies at Kent State University prepares students to learn about the duties and responsibilities of paralegals who work in Ohio.
Courses in the program include Introduction to Paralegal Studies and Professional Ethics, Principles and Practice of Litigation, Family Law and Procedure, Contract Law, and Tort Law.
Additional courses in the program include Administrative Law and Process, Evidence and E-Discovery, and Law of Corporations and Other Associations.
Students also complete the Internship in Paralegal Studies.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 E. Summit St., Kent, Ohio, 44242
- Phone: 330-672-4148
- Website: Visit School Website
9 University of Toledo
About the School
The University of Toledo offers more paralegal programs than many colleges and universities across the country.
Students choose from an associate, degree, a bachelor’s degree program, or a post-baccalaureate certificate program.
Courses Offered
Students choose from a variety of paralegal programs at the University of Toledo, including the Associate of Applied Science in Legal and Paralegal Studies, the Bachelor of Science in Legal and Paralegal Studies, the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Legal and Paralegal Studies, and the Nurse Paralegal Program.
The programs are approved by the American Bar Association.
Students in each of the programs learn the fundamentals of law.
They learn that paralegals work under the supervision of an attorney.
Students gain the technical knowledge and skills of paralegals.
They also learn about the ethical responsibilities of paralegals.
Courses in the associate degree program include Law Practice Management, Civil Procedure, Legal Research, Writing and Case Analysis, and Tort Law.
Students in the two-year program also complete a paralegal internship.
Students in the 120-hour Bachelor of Science in Legal and Paralegal Studies program complete Family Law, Critical Thinking, Advanced Legal Research and Writing, Litigation, and Law of Business Associations.
Students also complete the Advanced Paralegal Internship.
Enrolling in the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Legal and Paralegal Studies is restricted to students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree.
Students take courses in tort law, contract law, estate, and probate law.
They also participate in a mock trial.
The unique Nurse Paralegal Program is for registered nurses (RNs) who have a minimum of 2,000 hours of nursing experience and who hold a minimum of an associate degree.
Students develop the practical and technical skills to work as a resource in areas such as health insurance, investigating disputes, medical malpractice, and preparing negotiations.
Contact Information
- Address: 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo, Ohio, 43606
- Phone: 800-586-5336
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Paralegal Salary Information
Paralegals in Ohio can expect to enjoy stable job employment in a growing field.
The median annual income for a paralegal in Ohio is $65,590.
The salary can be affected by the experience that a paralegal has and where the paralegal chooses to work in Ohio.
A paralegal who works in Columbus, Ohio makes an average salary of $65,663, while the average salary for a paralegal working in Akron is $64,207.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$58K |
|
$65K |
|
$74K |
Average Salary in Ohio
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbus | $65,663 |
| Cleveland | $66,016 |
| Cincinnati | $65,398 |
| Toledo | $64,622 |
| Akron | $64,207 |
| Dayton | $64,876 |
| Lima | $63,131 |
| Youngstown | $62,984 |
| Canton | $62,894 |
| Lorain | $65,317 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 420 | $53,470 | $25.71 | $72,840 | $37,480 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 170 | $49,600 | $23.85 | $70,160 | $35,990 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 1,630 | $55,260 | $26.57 | $82,680 | $37,350 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | 2,290 | $59,370 | $28.55 | $82,060 | $38,420 |
| Columbus, OH | 1,890 | $58,630 | $28.19 | $77,880 | $39,330 |
| Dayton, OH | 570 | $50,760 | $24.41 | $72,780 | $35,110 |
| Lima, OH | 50 | $45,200 | $21.73 | $58,700 | $30,570 |
| Springfield, OH | 80 | $50,090 | $24.08 | $69,520 | $33,980 |
| Toledo, OH | 380 | $52,580 | $25.28 | $65,000 | $36,090 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | 290 | $39,220 | $18.85 | $57,920 | $26,740 |
* 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’m currently exploring paralegal programs in Ohio, and this list is a great starting point! Does anyone have personal experience with any of these programs? I’d love to hear about the curriculum and overall satisfaction.
It’s fantastic to see a comprehensive list of the best paralegal programs in Ohio. For those considering a career in law, the right education is crucial. I graduated from one of these programs a few years ago and can confidently say it laid a solid foundation for my career.
As a pre-law student, this post couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s incredibly helpful to have a curated list of the best paralegal programs in Ohio. I’m leaning toward one of these programs, but I’m curious if anyone has advice on additional factors to consider when making a decision. Thanks!