2023 Best Online Colleges for Paralegal Associate Degrees

Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC), a large public university based in Ohio, offers an online Associate of Applied Business in Paralegal requiring 63 credit hours to complete. Typically, this online program takes students 2 years to complete with a full-time schedule. EGCC has an open admissions policy in which they accept all students, and 19% graduate with a degree.

Students at EGCC use the digital learning platform Canvas to access coursework. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for employment in both public and private law environments. Core classes include American Government, Legal Research and Writing, and Public Speaking. EGCC’s Paralegal program offers an associate’s degree or a certificate for those who aren’t seeking a degree right away.

The American Public University (APU) is a private, for-profit institution offering an online Associate of Science in Legal Studies. This program requires 60 credit hours and generally takes two years to complete. APU has an open admission policy in which 100% of students who apply are accepted, while 18% graduate with their degree.

Students learn to apply legal research and writing skills in realistic legal contexts, develop critical thinking and legal analytical skills, and demonstrate proficiency with law office equipment and software. Core classes include Litigation, Legal Research and Writing, and Legal Ethics. To graduate, students must also complete a Sophomore Seminar in Legal Studies as a final program requirement.

Liberty University (LU) is a private, nonprofit Evangelical Christian university offering an online Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies. This program requires 60 credit hours and typically takes two years to complete with a full-time schedule. The acceptance rate at LU is 99%, and 36% of students graduate with their degree.

LU students access their synchronous and asynchronous online coursework using Canvas. The curriculum covers political and economic ideas, government institutions, and free-market processes. Core classes aim to provide a foundation of Christianity, communication skills, and critical thinking. Featured courses include Legal Research, Civil Practice, and Criminal Practice and Procedures. Graduates often seek careers as legal assistants and secretaries, paralegals, and government workers.

Purdue Global (PG) is a large public university representing the online branch of the Purdue University system. PG offers an online Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services that requires 90 credit hours and 2 years of full-time study to complete. The university’s open admission policy means all applicants are accepted, with 27% of students earning a degree.

Students at PG use Brightspace to access their online coursework. The program provides students with a foundational knowledge of the law and legal administrative skills. The curriculum includes a study of legal research and writing, civil litigation, legal ethics, and torts, in addition to core classes like College Composition I and II, Interpersonal Communications, and American Government.

Rasmussen University (RU) is a private, for-profit institution offering a 90 credit hour, online Paralegal Associate’s degree. Students can complete this degree in 18 months with a full-time schedule. RU has an open admissions policy, so all applicants are accepted, with 36% earning a degree.

RU students access their courses using Blackboard. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the National Certified Legal Assistant/Paralegal (CLA/CP) Examination. Introduction to Law and the Legal System, Criminal Law and Procedure, and Law Office Management are some of the core classes. Students must also complete a Paralegal Associate Capstone course to graduate. Graduates may seek careers as a Paralegal, Legal Assistant, or Court Clerk.

Bryant & Stratton College Online (B&SC) is a private, for-profit institution that offers an online Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies. This online program requires 60 credit hours and takes 2 years to complete with a full-time schedule. B&SC has an open admissions policy and accepts 100% of applicants, while 16% graduate with a degree.

B&SC uses Blackboard to deliver coursework. Students will learn the skills needed to correctly apply legal terminology, draft legal writings, interpret legal documents, and research the law effectively. Core classes include Civil Litigation, Wills, Trusts and Estates, and Business Organizations Law. Graduates may find employment as a paralegal or legal assistant with a law firm, government agency, or corporation.

Keiser University (KU) is a private, non-profit university with a Hispanic-Serving Institution designation. KU’s Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies requires 60 credit hours and can be completed in 2 years with a full-time schedule. The acceptance rate at KU is 90%, and 56% graduate with their degree.

KU students use the digital learning platform Blackboard to access their online coursework. The curriculum is designed to develop students’ written and verbal competencies, provide students with a sound understanding of legal practice in the US, and prepare graduates to work as paralegals in a variety of settings. Core classes include Legal Research and Writing, Contracts, and Civil Litigation.

Part of the Maricopa County Community College District, Rio Salado College (RSC) is a medium-sized public institution designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. RSC offers an online Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal that requires 65-70 credit hours and can be completed in 2 years with a full-time schedule. RSC’s open admissions policy means they accept all students, and 13% go on to earn a degree.

RSC students use the proprietary digital learning platform RioLearn to access coursework. Students will gain the expertise needed to anaylze factual and legal information, research print and digital media, and communicate in a culturally responsible manner. Core classes include Paralegal Research, Analysis, and Writing, First-Year Composition, and Ethics for the Paralegal.

Central Texas College (CTC) is a medium-sized public institution offering an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal/Legal Assistant requiring 60 credit hours to complete. Full-time students can complete the degree in 2 years. CTC accepts 100% of students under their open admissions policy, with 14% earning a degree.

CTC online classes are conducted via Blackboard. Courses include Civil Litigation, Contracts, and Torts and Personal Injury Law. The curriculum aims to prepare students for employment as Paralegals or Legal Assistants, and also serves students interested in other law-related careers. Through cooperation with the legal community, a paralegal internship is available to students as a “capstone” option.

The University of Arkansas Grantham (UA Grantham) is a private, for-profit university offering a 60 credit hour Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies. Students can finish this program in 2 years with a full-time schedule. UA Grantham’s open admissions policy means all students who apply are accepted, with 20% earning a degree.

UA Grantham delivers coursework using the Blackboard learning management system. The curriculum prepares students to support a legal team with legal research, analysis and limited interview and investigating duties, as well as preparing legal documents. Students will take core classes like Legal Ethics, Civil Litigation, and Contract Law, in addition to 36 general education credits.