Several different degrees are available in paralegal studies and related fields.
Degrees in paralegal studies are available in many forms. One is an associate's degree, traditionally known as a two-year degree. Another is a baccalaureate or bachelor's degree, traditionally known as a four-year degree. Second bachelor's degrees, postdegree paralegal certificates and master's degrees in related fields are also available. The American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Paralegals has approved all of the featured programs. They are also institutional members of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE).
Associate's Degrees
An Associate of Applied Science in paralegal studies is common in community colleges, such as Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, Maryland, technical colleges, such as Athens Technical College in Athens, Georgia, and proprietary schools, such as the Center for Advanced Legal Studies in Houston. Tulane University in New Orleans offers an Associate of Arts in paralegal studies. Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan, offers an Associate of Science in paralegal studies. Anne Arundel Community College offers concentrations in litigation, business and general practice.
Bachelor's Degrees
Roosevelt University in Chicago offers both a Bachelor of Professional Studies with a major in paralegal studies and a Bachelor of Arts with a paralegal certificate. The College of Health and Human Services, Department of Undergraduate Legal Specialties, at the University of Toledo in Ohio offers a Bachelor of Science in paralegal studies, as do Madonna University, Stevenson University in Stevenson, Maryland, and Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. Stevenson and Eastern Michigan offer an Accelerated Second Bachelor of Science in addition to a traditional Bachelor of Science. Tulane also offers a minor in paralegal studies.
Postdegree Certificates
Anne Arundel Community College, the Center for Advanced Legal Studies, Tulane University, Madonna University, Roosevelt University and the University of Toledo all offer postdegree certificates in paralegal studies. Webster University in St. Louis, Texas State University-San Marcos, Montclair State University in New Jersey and Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, also offer postdegree certificates. Registered nurses may seek postdegree nurse paralegal certificates from Anne Arundel Community College, Madonna and Toledo.
Master's Degrees
Webster University offers a Master of Arts in Legal Studies, as does Texas State University-San Marcos. Montclair State offers a Master of Arts in law and governance. Marymount offers a Master of Arts in legal administration. All of these universities also offer postdegree paralegal certificates, as noted above, and bachelor's degrees in paralegal studies.
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