Bachelor's in paralegal studies
Paralegals assist attorneys and keep law offices running smoothly. Earning your bachelor's in paralegal studies can prepare you for careers in the legal field.
Explore online paralegal programs
edX online paralegal studies programs at a glance
Completion time
120 credits; 4 years for full-time students or less with transfer credits.
Program cost
Explore affordable programs with financial aid opportunities.
Earning potential
Paralegals can earn a median salary of $60,970, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What is a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies?
A bachelor's in paralegal studies provides students with practical training for legal careers. You'll learn how to conduct legal research, draft legal documents, and support attorneys during trial.
As an online paralegal studies major, you'll complete coursework in a flexible, virtual classroom. It's a great option if you want to work while in college.
What can you do with a bachelor's in paralegal studies?
Majoring in paralegal studies can prepare you for a career as a paralegal or legal assistant. Paralegal studies is also a good major if you're preparing for law school or careers that benefit from legal training.
Some common career paths with a bachelor's in paralegal studies include:
Paralegal
Paralegals assist attorneys by investigating cases, writing legal documents, and conducting legal research. Paralegals may also specialize in areas such as business law, family law, or criminal law.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) median annual salary (2023):$60,970
- BLS projected annual job growth (2023-33): +1%
Legal assistant
Legal assistants provide administrative support, such as scheduling meetings, organizing legal documents, and filing legal materials. Legal assistants may also share overlapping duties with paralegals.
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $60,970
- BLS projected annual job growth (2023-33): +1%
Administrative assistant:
Administrative assistants perform clerical and administrative tasks in office settings, including preparing reports, scheduling meetings, and maintaining databases.
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $46,010
- BLS projected annual job growth (2023-33): +1%
Types of bachelor's degrees for paralegals
If you want to become a paralegal, majoring in paralegal studies can provide you with focused training. You can also consider majors in related fields like legal studies or criminal justice.
What's the difference between a bachelor's in paralegal studies vs. a bachelor's in legal studies? Both emphasize the legal system, and their curriculum may overlap significantly. However, a paralegal studies degree includes more career-focused preparation for jobs as a paralegal.
Why earn an online bachelor's in paralegal studies with edX?
Career training
Paralegal studies programs emphasize practical skills for careers in the legal field.
Flexibility
By earning your degree online, you can work while advancing your education.
Transferable skills
The research and writing skills emphasized in paralegal studies can benefit you in many fields.
Online paralegal studies program overview
Paralegal studies programs can help you strengthen practical skills in legal research and writing. You'll also learn how the legal system works so that you can assist attorneys during litigation. Paralegal studies majors also often take specialized courses in different areas of the law.
You'll need a minimum of 120 credits to graduate with a bachelor's in paralegal studies. Full-time students typically spend around four years completing their degree. You can also transfer credits from another institution and apply them toward a paralegal studies degree.
The cost of a paralegal studies program varies and depends on the school, your transfer credits, and your financial aid awards.
Learn more about admissions requirements
Want to earn a paralegal studies degree online? You'll need to meet program admissions requirements and submit an application that showcases your strengths.
Common admissions requirements include:
- A high school diploma or the equivalent
- SAT or ACT scores
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
Some programs waive standardized test score requirements. You may also need a minimum of a 2.0 GPA.
Discover the paralegal studies curriculum
During a paralegal studies degree, you'll learn about the court system and legal processes. Your major coursework can help you strengthen your critical research and writing skills. Bachelor's programs also incorporate general education requirements and electives to develop critical thinking and communication skills. Below are a few courses you can expect to take:
- Legal research: Develop research skills with an emphasis on case law, statutory law, and regulatory law. Learners use diverse legal research technologies.
- Litigation: Examine the litigation process, including civil procedure, discovery strategy, and depositions. Paralegal majors learn to prepare responsive legal documents.
- Legal writing: Learn to write case briefs and other legal documents. This course develops legal analysis, reasoning, and logic skills.
- Contracts: Analyze cases to see how courts apply the principles of contract law. Learn about contract principles, including defenses to formation, breach of contract, remedies, and damages.
- Law office administration: Gain law-specific administrative knowledge, including personnel management, billing practices, and database management.
Take the next step in your career
Ready to earn a paralegal studies degree? Check out edX degree programs or sign up for a course today.