Those looking to start a non-lawyer career in the legal field should consider becoming a paralegal.
These legal professionals and assistants work in various legal settings and support attorneys by conducting legal research, gathering facts, and obtaining affidavits.
Other responsibilities include helping lawyers during trials and maintaining and organizing files.
Aspiring paralegals must earn at least an associate degree to be prepared for employment.
However, certificate and diploma options are available for those who currently hold a degree in a non-related field and are looking to transition into the legal discipline.
To learn more about the best paralegal programs in Wisconsin, keep reading!
Schools
Ten colleges and universities in Wisconsin offer a paralegal/legal assistant degree, with seven having certificate programs, eight with associate degrees, and two offering bachelor’s degrees.
1 Chippewa Valley Technical College
About
With over 110 programs, CVTC offers a hands-on and flexible learning environment.
All programs were developed to prepare students for high-paying and fulfilling positions.
The school offers a two-year, flexible associate degree in paralegal studies, which industry professionals created to help students explore a range of legal disciplines, including real estate, employment, immigration, family, and criminal law.
The 63-credit (two-year) estimated online program cost is $11,157 and doesn’t include books and materials.
Courses / Programs Offered
The curriculum teaches students how to assist attorneys during hearings and trials, prepare legal documents, conduct case management tasks, research legal issues, and investigate the facts of a case.
Depending on the student’s desired specialization, the program offers classes like Family, Immigration, and Criminal Law, as well as Legal Writing and Legal Aspects of Business Organizations.
Students interested in learning more about CVTC’s associate degree in paralegal studies should call 715-833-6300
Contact Information
- Address: 2320 Alpine Rd, Eau Claire, WI 54703
- Phone: 715-833-6200
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Fox Valley Technical College
About
FVTC offers a 62-credit associate degree in paralegal studies with tuition and fees of around $10,000 without books and other materials.
The program teaches students the skills and knowledge to work under attorney supervision to analyze and resolve legal procedure problems, select, compile, and use technical legal information, and interpret and draft legal documents.
This program prepares graduates to work in corporate law, government agencies, insurance companies, or private firms.
Courses / Programs Offered
About
FVTC offers a 62-credit associate degree in paralegal studies with tuition and fees of around $10,000 without books and other materials. The program teaches students the skills and knowledge to work under attorney supervision to analyze and resolve legal procedure problems, select, compile, and use technical legal information, and interpret and draft legal documents. This program prepares graduates to work in corporate law, government agencies, insurance companies, or private firms.
Courses / Programs Offered
The FVTC handcrafted curriculum includes the following foundational and specialized classes:
- Business law
- Civil Litigation Procedures
- Criminal Procedures for Legal Professionals
- Employment Law for Legal Professionals
- Introduction to Legal Writing and Research
- Legal Aspects of Business Organizations
Also, the Fox Valley program requires students to complete an internship with a school-approved local law firm before graduation.
Students interested in the program can call 800-735-3882 or stop by the campus at: 1825 N. Bluemound Drive. Appleton, Wisconsin 54912
Contact Information
- Address: 1825 N Bluemound Dr, Appleton, WI 54914
- Phone: 920-735-5600
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Ivy Technical Community College
About
Ivy Tech offers several paralegal studies educational paths, including a certificate, a technical certificate, an associate degree, and an associate degree via distance learning, which is entirely online.
The certificate requires 18 credit hours (two semesters) to graduate, the technical certificate requires 31 credit hours (three semesters), and the two associate degrees take 60 credit hours (four semesters).
Courses / Programs Offered
Each program offers the following foundational courses, with the associate degree programs teaching more detailed legal topics in later semesters:
- Contracts and Commercial Law
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- Legal Ethics
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
Students can request more program information by calling 765-643-7133.
Contact Information
- Address: 50 W Fall Creek Pkwy N Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46208
- Phone: 888-489-5463
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Lakeshore Technical College
About
LTC has various adult education, professional and personal continuing education, customized training for organizations, and career programs.
With accreditations from the Higher Learning Commission, the American Bar Association (ABA), and the Wisconsin Bar Association, LTC boasts an associate degree in paralegal studies program, which allows graduates to become Wisconsin Bar Certified Paralegals.
During the program, students learn to apply critical thinking skills and ethical principles in a legal environment, demonstrate professionalism, conduct legal research, and process legal documents.
The tuition and fees cost per credit is $138.90 and doesn’t include learning materials.
Courses / Programs Offered
The associate degree program curriculum comprises foundational courses like Introduction to Legal Ethics and Paralegalism, Legal Writing, and Civil Litigation.
The school also covers more focused classes like Business, Criminal, and Real Estate Law.
LTC also has a career-focused class, Personal Branding – Paralegal, which helps students better market themselves to employers after graduation.
Students interested in the LTC associate degree program in paralegal studies should call 888-GO-TO-LTC.
For those who are local, stopping by the campus address below is another good option: 1290 North Avenue Cleveland, WI 53015
Contact Information
- Address: 1290 North Ave, Cleveland, WI 53015
- Phone: 920-693-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Madonna University
About
Although not located in Wisconsin, Madonna University is an excellent option for those who border Michigan.
Founded in 1937, Madonna University offers over 100 bachelor’s and associate degree majors and boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of 13-to-1.
Undergraduate tuition is $20,000 for full-time students, whether in-state or out-of-state.
Campuses around Michigan include Southfield, Macomb, Gaylord, Dearborn, and the main campus in Livonia.
Courses / Programs Offered
The school offers several pathways for aspiring paralegal professionals, including a law minor, litigation management certificate, BSN certificate, paralegal certificate, and associate and bachelor’s degrees.
Legal specialty courses require nine semester hours and are taught synchronously.
One-third of courses are in a hybrid format; the rest can be taken online. Coursework includes the following:
- Domestic Relations
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- Law Office Technology
- Legal Research and Writing
- Legal Research on the Internet
- Real Estate
Students must also select six semester-hour electives, including:
- Business Association
- Contractual and Commercial Relations
- Intellectual Property
- Special Problems in Law
- Will and Trust Drafting
For those interested in Madonna’s offerings, call 734-432-5339 for more information.
Contact Information
- Address: 36600 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia, MI 48150
- Phone: 734-432-5300
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Madison Area Technical College
About
With over 180 training programs to help students upgrade or start their careers, the Higher Learning Commission-accredited MATC offers certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, and no-credit continuing education options.
One of the highlights of their portfolio is the 60-credit hour associate degree program in paralegal/legal studies, which requires a two-year time commitment.
The estimated program cost is $9,750, not including books and other learning materials.
Courses / Programs Offered
During the program, students will extensively learn about the American legal system, ethics, law investigation and interviewing, law offices and other environments, law-related computer skills, legal research and writing, and procedural and substantive law.
Also, the schools require learners to complete nine credits of specialty courses online, live, or in person.
Aspiring paralegals interested in the program should call 608-243-5400 to learn more.
Contact Information
- Address: 1701 Wright St, Madison, WI 53704
- Phone: 608-246-6100
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
About
As a nationally recognized two-year public college serving over 20,000 students, NWTC offers numerous training, degrees, and personal and professional development classes.
Tuition for all programs is $160 per credit hour without course materials.
One such program is the associate degree in legal/paralegal studies, which prepares students for work under attorney supervision in various legal settings.
The program is ABA-approved, and the school is an American Association for Paralegal Education member.
Courses / Programs Offered
Entering students can expect to take foundational classes such as Civil Litigation, Legal Computer Applications, Law Office Administration, Intro to Ethics, Introduction to Paralegalism, and Legal Writing.
The second year delves into specific law details, including Estate and Probate, Contracts and Insurance Law, and Criminal Law and Procedures.
Furthermore, students must take two elective courses, which could include Administrative Law, Civil Trial Advocacy, Creditor/Debtor Relations, or International Law and Immigration.
To learn more about NWTC’s associate degree program, call 920-498-5444.
Contact Information
- Address: 2740 W Mason St, Green Bay, WI 54307
- Phone: 920-498-5444
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Purdue University Global
About
Purdue University Global offers various online programs developed to give adults more flexibility in juggling work and school.
The school provides several legal pathways, including a pathway to a paralegal certificate, legal secretary certificate, associate degree in legal support and services, and Master of Science in legal studies.
The two certificates can be completed in under 11 months, and the associate and master’s degrees in two years.
The tuition cost for each program is $371 per credit hour.
Courses / Programs Offered
While the different educational paths have varying coursework requirements, all cover topics like:
- Civil Litigation
- Introduction to Legal Professions
- Law Office Management
- Legal Ethics
- Legal Writing and Research
Although the campus is in West Lafayette, Indiana, the online curriculum can be completed anywhere.
Therefore, students should call 866-522-7747 for more information about the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 550 Northwestern Avenue, Suite 1100. West Lafayette, IN 47906
- Phone: 866-522-7747
- Website: Visit School Website
9 University of Wisconsin-Madison
About
As one of the leading institutions in the state, U of W is a major research institution and public land-grant university.
As such, it is within the top 10 largest research institutions in the United States.
Therefore, it’s of no surprise the school offers a bachelor’s degree in legal studies, which focuses on the operation and theory of legal institutions and law.
Students must complete 120 credits to graduate, which takes around four years.
Courses / Programs Offered
The curriculum was developed to center around the following five themes:
- Law and Culture
- Law and Social Forces
- Law and Theory
- Legal Institutions
- Processes of Legal Order and Disorder
Within these disciplines, students will take foundational courses like Introduction to Paralegalism and Legal Writing and Research and more specialized classes like Family and Real Estate Law.
The program is competitive, so interested students are urged to speak with an academic advisor by calling 608-263-2400.
Contact Information
- Address: Madison, WI, USA
- Phone: 608-263-2400
- Website: Visit School Website
10 Western Technical College
About
WTC is an open-enrollment institution, meaning students can apply and enroll for the next semester anytime throughout the year.
Western Technical aims to offer students the training and degrees required to start a new career.
The school provides two educational paths, an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in legal studies/paralegalism, which are ABA-approved.
Courses / Programs Offered
Both educational treks require standard core classes like English Composition and Introduction to Statistics.
The associate degree requires a two-year time commitment, and the bachelor’s degree requires four years, with the main difference being more comprehensive learning with the bachelor’s path.
Students learn all aspects of the law, including probate, civil, real estate, family, and criminal, with other foundational requirements such as an introduction to paralegal studies and legal writing and research.
The bachelor’s degree program delves deeper into legal topics with more available electives for those who wish to focus their learning on a specific law area.
Students interested in learning more about either program should call 608-785-9200 to speak to an academic advisor.
Contact Information
- Address: 400 7th St N, La Crosse, WI 54601
- Phone: 608-785-9200
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Paralegal Salary Information
A U.S. paralegal’s average annual base salary is $58,200, with pay ranging from $38,000 to $89,000.
Comparatively, a Wisconsin paralegal’s yearly average base salary is $54,700, with compensation ranging from $42,500 to $70,400.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$58K |
|
$66K |
|
$74K |
Average Salary in Wisconsin
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $66,379 |
| Madison | $65,718 |
| Green Bay | $64,341 |
| Kenosha | $65,889 |
| Racine | $65,889 |
| Appleton | $64,354 |
| Waukesha | $66,129 |
| Oshkosh | $63,938 |
| Eau Claire | $64,210 |
| La Crosse | $62,322 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 190 | $51,280 | $24.66 | $70,270 | $36,630 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 70 | $51,680 | $24.85 | $64,950 | $40,240 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 50 | $47,880 | $23.02 | $58,240 | $36,270 |
| Green Bay, WI | 230 | $51,790 | $24.9 | $68,690 | $36,470 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 80 | $49,540 | $23.82 | $65,760 | $35,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 100 | $50,700 | $24.37 | $60,310 | $36,630 |
| Madison, WI | 830 | $56,470 | $27.15 | $81,320 | $35,640 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 2,090 | $58,300 | $28.03 | $83,000 | $39,320 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 100 | $51,690 | $24.85 | $72,230 | $36,150 |
| Racine, WI | 120 | $50,430 | $24.25 | $62,050 | $36,100 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 60 | $51,850 | $24.93 | $67,950 | $33,800 |
| Wausau, WI | 110 | $48,260 | $23.2 | $58,420 | $37,170 |
* 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
Wisconsin offers a variety of excellent paralegal programs, each with its unique strengths. It’s all about finding the right fit for your career goals.
When considering a paralegal program, don’t forget to research factors like internships and networking opportunities. These can significantly impact your career prospects.
I graduated from one of these programs, and it laid a strong groundwork for my paralegal career. The quality of education and the faculty’s expertise were exceptional.