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Paralegal Schools in Indiana

There are numerous paralegal schools in Indiana at which you can earn a certificate or degree in the paralegal field. In addition to general paralegal programs, some schools offer specialized programs to prepare students for dedicated practice in law offices or legal departments. Online paralegal degrees may offer a more flexible option for some students. Please visit our paralegal careers in Indiana guide to find out more about opportunities for paralegal and legal studies graduates.

Quick Facts

For not-for-profit colleges and universities with paralegal/legal assistant degree programs.

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Comparison of Paralegal Programs

The table below will help you compare not-for-profit paralegal and legal studies programs in Indiana based on various factors. The table includes paralegal program-specific information such as the programs offered and whether there are any online options. It also includes general school information to help you compare the colleges and universities that host these programs, including overall acceptance rate, graduation rate for first-time bachelor’s degree seekers, median debt for graduates, and net tuition per year for full-time undergraduate study. We have also included information on approval by the American Bar Association (ABA). While ABA approval is not required in order to work as a paralegal, it is a mark of program quality that is preferred by many employers.

SchoolABA Approved?Paralegal Degree(s)Acceptance Rate6Grad Rate1Online Options?Median Debt7Net Price1
Ball State University (Muncie)YesBA-Legal Studies;
BS-Legal Studies		77%67%—$18,000$13,533
Calumet College of Saint Joseph (Whiting)—AS-Legal Studies;
BS-Legal Studies;
Minor-Legal Studies		100%44%—$14,979$11,716
Indiana University-Bloomington (Bloomington)—Certificate-Legal Studies;
BSB-Legal Studies		78%79%—$18,000$13,036
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (Indianapolis)YesBA-Law in Liberal Arts;
Minor-Legal Studies		81%50%—$14,151$9,807
Ivy Tech Community College (Indianapolis)—Certificate-Paralegal Studies;
AS-Paralegal Studies		100%25%Yes$5,500$6,556
Marian University (Indianapolis)—AS-Paralegal Studies62%63%Yes$19,117$20,572
Purdue University Global (Indianapolis)—Certificate-Paralegal Studies;
AAS-Legal Support and Services;
BS-Legal Support and Services;
MS-Legal Studies		100%27%YesN.Av.N.Av.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (Saint Mary of the Woods)—Certificate-Paralegal Studies;
AA-Paralegal Studies;
BA-Paralegal Studies		67%56%Yes$12,655$17,088
University of Evansville (Evansville)—Minor-Legal Studies71%68%—$21,500$21,978
Vincennes University (Vincennes)—AS-Legal Studies100%27%—$8,901$10,205

  • — indicates none.
  • N.Av. indicates no data available.

Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs

Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs 2018

  • Purdue University Global (#2)
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (#12 tie)

US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools 2022

  • Indiana University-Bloomington (#43 tie)
  • Indiana University-Indianapolis (#111 tie)

US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs 2022

  • Indiana University-Indianapolis (#16 tie)
  • Indiana University-Bloomington (#68 tie)

Select Schools in Indiana with Paralegal Degrees

Traditional Programs

Ball State University

Ball State University offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Bachelor of Arts (BS) in Legal Studies, both approved by the ABA, that will provide future paralegals with instruction in legal theory and the practical skills necessary to work in a legal office. Students will further specialize their studies by selecting either the 36-credit Business Law option or the 33-credit Public Law option. The Business Law curriculum will help students understand the legal issues that arise in typical business settings and is designed for students seeking a career in insurance, finance, law office management, or accounting. The Public Law curriculum is structured around studying the relationship between law with government, politics, and public policy. All legal studies students must take courses such as Family Law; Litigation; and Legal Research and Writing. To help develop professional experience, all students must also complete an internship, working with practicing attorneys and paralegals. Students in the BA program are required to take a foreign language.

Vincennes University

The Associate of Science (AS) at Vincennes University (VU) is designed for students interested in exploring the paralegal profession while completing the standard general education requirements of an associate’s degree. The four-semester degree seeks to develop student understanding of the ethical rules governing legal work, enable students to draft formal legal documents in a variety of legal areas, and help students understand the role that the legal system plays in our society. The 60-credit Paralegal Studies curriculum incorporates general education requirements such as English Composition, College Algebra, and Interpersonal Communication along with law-related courses such as Civil Procedures and Law Office Management. Additionally, the program includes an optional legal internship supervised by the program chair and an overseeing lawyer. The internship includes written reports from the student and a final evaluation by the host law office. Up to 12 credit hours of legal coursework may be transferred into the program from another school. Graduation from VU requires a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Hybrid and Online Programs

Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies that will help students develop their knowledge of law and apply that knowledge to paralegal skills. The 66-credit degree program can be completed in as little as four semesters at campuses throughout Indiana or through online instruction. Graduates of the program will have developed skills in legal research, legal writing, interviewing, investigation, and law office management. The Paralegal Studies curriculum includes 19 credits of general education courses, 32 credits of legal classes, and nine credits of electives required by the Indiana Community College System. Included in the paralegal coursework are classes such as Legal Research; Contracts and Commercial Law; Litigation; and a Paralegal Capstone course. Ivy Tech paralegal students will have the opportunity to participate in mock courtrooms and perform oral arguments in front of the Indiana Court of Appeals. Ivy Tech also offers a Certificate in Paralegal Studies that can be completed in three semesters.

Marian University

Through Marian University, students can earn an Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies entirely online. This 66-credit hour program is broken up into eight-week sessions, and the curriculum can be completed in as few as 14 months. Five-week accelerated courses are available to help students study at their own pace. In addition to a general education core curriculum, students complete 32 credits in paralegal subjects such as torts, contracts, case practice management, legal responsibilities, and ethical decision making. Marian paralegal students also take courses to develop their professional skills and prepare them for their job search and future careers. All students have the option of completing an internship with a local law firm as well as exploring externship and job shadowing opportunities. Students will receive direct support through Marian’s 1:1 student-mentor program, in which students are paired with mentors who share their interests to help develop a network within the industry.

Purdue University-Global Campus

Purdue University’s Global Campus (PG) offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Legal Support and Services with an optional Concentration in Paralegal Studies. The 180-quarter hour online degree is based on a 10-week course schedule, and multiple start dates allow for enrollment throughout the calendar year. The curriculum spans both general legal theory and the practical skills needed in the field. Students learn analytical thinking and communication skills as well as legal procedures, how to prepare documents, and legal technology. To complete the Paralegal concentration, students must take four courses: Civil Litigation, Criminal Law, Administrative Law, and Law Office Management. The curriculum also allows for an optional internship, giving students the chance to earn real-world experience before searching for a job post-graduation. This program has been recognized by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), and graduates will be eligible to sit for the NALA Certified Paralegal Examination. Graduates of the Legal Support and Services program may be interested in continuing their education with PG’s Master of Science (MS) in Legal Studies.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) offers an Associate in Arts (AA) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Paralegal Studies as well as a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program in Paralegal Studies. All Paralegal Studies tracks can be pursued online and will help students gain skills in investigation, legal documentation, and case preparation. Representative courses include Law, Ethics, and Society; Interviewing and Investigation; Theories of Liability; and Advanced Research and Writing. In addition to the comprehensive legal coursework, all students receive training in Westlaw, a computer-assisted legal research system. Students are given many opportunities to apply the coursework to real-world legal settings through the SMWC mentoring program and through the required Legal Practicum, which consists of a minimum of 150 hours of work in an outside legal or law-related professional environment. Students and graduates have access to SMWC’s career center to help them find internships and search for paralegal positions after graduation.

Student Reviews

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Ball State University
2000 W University Ave
Muncie, IN 47306
(800) 382-8540
https://www.bsu.edu/

Student Review: “I started Ball State University as a transfer student, so the process was not traditional. I appreciated how approachable my professors and instructors were and continue to be. There are numerous opportunities to intern at law firms and state government institutions which allow students the chance to see how things will be in their chosen fields. I was able to benefit from a number of nationally recognized speakers thanks to the David Letterman Speaker Series.” -Student at Ball State University
stars-5

Ivy Tech Community College
3100 Ivy Tech Dr
Valparaiso, IN 46324
(219) 464-8514
https://www.ivytech.edu/

Student Review: “I really liked our paralegal studies program. Going into it I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but the professors were very knowledgeable. Even though a lot of it was basics in law and writing legal documents, all of the classes were taught by working attorneys or retired attorneys who had lots of experience to share, which was really helpful. There were plenty of evening classes to take and even a couple of online classes. This was wonderful, as I had a new baby at the time. I had the option in one class to intern at the prof’s law office, which I did, and that was great, seeing first hand what we were talking about in class. One thing I disliked was that it was not mentioned at all until the very end of the program, in one class, how competitive the field is and how difficult it is to snag a paralegal job in our area.” -Student at Ivy Tech Community College
stars-4

Wabash College
301 W Wabash Ave
Crawfordsville, IN 47933
(765) 361-6100
https://www.wabash.edu/

Student Review: “The Paralegal Studies Program at Wabash College is a very in-depth curriculum that really challenged me to think in terms of a wide range of topics pertaining to auxiliary aspects of the law. I feel like this program is unique because the professors go deeper than just examining Paralegal Studies. Based on my experience, I think this program is designed to prepare students for law school, not just reading the textbooks and passing the exams. I’m really glad I enrolled in this program. I found it to be extremely flexible as far as which courses I could take and when. I could really tell that my professors were passionate about what they were teaching, and they were really good about being available after class to clarify things that I wasn’t sure about. This is definitely not an easy curriculum, but I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in pursuing any sort of career in law.” -Student at Wabash College
stars-5

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs: https://www.paralegal411.org/degrees/bachelors/online/
3. US News & World Report Best Law Schools 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings
4. US News & World Report Best Legal Writing Programs 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/legal-writing-rankings
5. American Bar Association Approved Paralegal Programs: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/
6. Niche: https://www.niche.com/
7. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Ranking ROI of 4,500 US Colleges and Universities: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/CollegeROI/