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Become a paralegal in as little as 14 months!

 

  Earn your degree faster with 12 start dates a year. Apply ​today!

Online Paralegal Associate Degree

Take control of your professional trajectory with an online Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies degree from Marian University. ​Prepare to become a leader in this fast-growing field. Our paralegal program consists of 66 credit hours which can be completed in as little as 14 months. Five-week, accelerated classes are taught 100 percent online and start nine times a year, so you ​can earn your degree at a pace that best fits your ​schedule.

Attorneys and paralegals serve as adjunct instructors in our online paralegal studies program. You will also benefit from the insights and experiences of a legal professional in our 1:1 student-mentor program. Administrators and faculty carefully pair mentors with students who share a specialization interest to build relationships and network within the industry, even before graduation. 

Careers in paralegal studies

Paralegals are needed in law firms, corporations, government agencies, insurance and mortgage companies, and even banks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 10 percent employment growth for paralegals between 2019 and 2029.

Possible areas of specialization include: family, criminal, environmental, personal injury, healthcare, medical malpractice, civil litigation, sports and entertainment, and international law.​ Regardless of the legal specialization you select, Marian will prepare you to become a leader in the field with the critical thinking, communication, and technology skills that are highly desired by employers.

Paralegal studies curriculum

Marian’s fully online paralegal program develops the skills students need to succeed after graduating. The program includes courses ​in legal research, legal writing and communication, civil litigation for the paralegal, and more. Additionally, some classes are devoted to preparing students for their careers, such as legal career preparation and development and the internship in pre-law studies/paralegal studies.

Beyond the classroom, local law firms offer valuable career-building opportunities with internships, externships, and job shadowing. In fact, many of our graduates have gone on to work where they’ve interned.​​

Program objectives

  • Conduct case law research and analyze scholarly sources and legal code to explain diverse civic issues and lawsuits and articulate what is expected to maintain the respect and integrity of the profession and the legal system within the community.
  • Exhibit strong, responsible, ethical decision making in the legal environment and solid knowledge of ethical obligations and liabilities.
  • Use diverse communication skills to present researched facts, results, and findings and to make coherent arguments.
  • Evaluate legal issues on the local, state, federal, and international level.
  • Utilize multiple research strategies and databases to locate appropriate information for assignments and effective use of software applications in a law office setting.
  • Analyze records, interviews, case studies, legal codes, and regulations to determine outcomes and evaluate theories and approaches to complex problems.
  • Develop career planning and social networking skills aligned with industry standards.
  • Edit and revise for proficiency in writing skills in a variety of environments, across multiple specializations.
  • Evaluate, analyze, and debate the impact of social, political, and economic issues and influences on the social and criminal justice systems, from the courts to the prison systems, on a national and global scale.

Learn more about Marian’s online associate degree in paralegal studies!

Marian University’s paralegal studies program is offered fully online and provides internship opportunities and support from local law firms. Getting started is easy. Request more information today or contact us at (317) 955-6578 to learn more.