Paralegal Schools in Kansas
This guide to paralegal schools in Kansas is designed to provide the information you need to decide where to pursue a paralegal degree or certificate in the state. A broad range of paralegal programs is available in Kansas, from certificate programs to master’s degree programs. You may also find an online paralegal degree program to be a good match since these types of programs can offer more flexibility to working students. Find out more about job opportunities for paralegals in the state on our guide to paralegal careers in Kansas.
Quick Facts
- There are 6 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in Kansas.1
- 3 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 4 schools offer an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 2 schools offer a bachelor’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 1 school offers a master’s degree for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- No schools ranked in Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs.2
- 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools in 2022.3
- 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs in 2022.4
- 1 ABA-approved paralegal degree program is in Kansas.5
For not-for-profit colleges and universities with paralegal/legal assistant degree programs.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of Paralegal Programs
- Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs in Kansas
- Select Schools in Kansas with Paralegal Degrees
- Student Reviews
Comparison of Paralegal Programs
The table below will help you compare not-for-profit paralegal and legal studies programs in Kansas 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.
| School | ABA Approved? | Paralegal Degree(s) | Acceptance Rate6 | Grad Rate1 | Online Options? | Median Debt7 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hutchinson Community College (Hutchinson) | — | Certificate-Paralegal; AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 44% | Yes | $5,500 | $7,673 |
| Johnson County Community College (Overland Park) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal; AA-Paralegal | 100% | 26% | Yes | $4,000 | $12,974 |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College (Kansas City) | — | AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 33% | — | $5,950 | $13,043 |
| University of Kansas (Lawrence) | — | BA-Law and Society; BGS-Law and Society; Minor-Law and Society | 93% | 63% | — | $14,276 | $20,054 |
| Washburn Institute of Technology (Topeka) | — | AA-Legal Studies | 50% | 62% | — | $12,327 | $11,392 |
| Washburn University (Topeka) | — | Certificate-Legal Studies; Bachelor of Legal Studies (BLS); Minor-Legal Studies; Master of Studies in Law | 100% | 51% | — | $12,327 | $14,198 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs
US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools 2022
- University of Kansas (#70 tie)
- Washburn University (#109 tie)
US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs 2022
- Washburn University (#16 tie)
- University of Kansas (#114 tie)
Select Schools in Kansas with Paralegal Degrees
Traditional Programs
Kansas City Kansas Community College
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies from Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) prepares students for entry-level legal professions in private firms, corporate offices, and government agencies. The 66-credit program offers general education requirements that allow students to study a variety of subjects such as math, psychology, and the humanities. The Paralegal curriculum includes legal specialty courses to give students the tools to perform detail-oriented paralegal tasks across a variety of legal fields. The curriculum focuses on both professional and technical skills, with required courses in business software, keyboarding, legal research, and legal writing. Specialty courses in various areas of law include Criminal Law for the Paralegal; Wills, Trusts, and Probate; and Insurance Law. The program concludes with a two-semester Legal Internship course in which students hone their classroom skills and gain valuable work experience.
University of Kansas
The Law and Society major at the University of Kansas (KU) may be completed as either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) and requires at least 120 credit hours. The Law and Society curriculum requires 15 credits of core classes and 15 credits of elective courses. To accommodate working students, many classes in the program are offered in the late afternoons or evenings. Students of the four-year program will study how law shapes society, the government, and the criminal justice system. In general, the Law and Society curriculum is developed to be completed in the final two years of study after general education courses or an associate’s degree have been completed. The core courses of the curriculum include Introduction to Law and Society; Methods in Law and Society; The Pursuit of Rights: Law, Democracy, and Power; Theoretical Foundations of Law and Society; and Capstone in Law and Society. Students may take optional experiential elective courses such as an internship or a research experience. KU also offers a Minor in Law and Society.
Washburn University
Washburn University (WU) hosts a 120-credit Bachelor of Legal Studies (BLS) degree for students seeking a career as a paralegal or legal assistant. The four-year Legal Studies curriculum will help students develop knowledge of legal concepts, critical thinking skills, and an understanding of the ethics involved in legal work. Coursework includes a mixture of general education and legal studies coursework. Practical legal skills are developed through classes such as Interviewing and Investigation; Legal Research; and Legal Writing. Through Legal Studies electives, students can take classes focused on legal specialties such as Elder Law, Personal Injury Law, and Capital Punishment. Hands-on experience is available through the required internship course. BLS students also have the opportunity to take an international study course that will expose them to the legal profession in another country. Students who already have a degree may enroll in WU’s Legal Studies Certificate program or, with a bachelor’s degree, pursue a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) through the WU School of Law.
If you are a student who will be graduating soon with a legal degree or you are a paralegal looking for a new job, I think that one of the best things that you can do is to get involved in a local legal professional association where you can network with paralegals. Often, people within legal associations know about job openings before they are made public.” –Treva Hansen, President of the Kansas Association of Legal Assistants and Paralegal at Hinkle Law Firm LLC.
Hybrid and Online Programs
Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal program for students interested in the paralegal and legal assistant field. Paralegal coursework is provided both on campus and online. The 60-credit curriculum covers foundational paralegal skills such as legal research and writing; interviewing; and computer skills. Students also learn about different specialties within law such as family law, litigation, criminal law, personal injury, and business law. Graduates of the Paralegal program will be eligible to sit for the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) certification exam and will be prepared for positions in private law firms, businesses, and government. Students must receive a grade of “C” or higher in all courses to graduate. HutchCC also offers a 36-credit hour Paralegal Certificate program that is designed for those who already have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree and are looking to transition into the paralegal field.
Johnson County Community College
Johnson County Community College (JCCC) offers two ABA-approved paralegal degree programs: a 33-credit Paralegal Certificate and a 63-credit Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal. The programs are scheduled for working professional students, with many courses offered online or in the late afternoons and evenings. Both programs provide instruction in legal research techniques and formal writing skills. In addition to standard general education and practical skills courses, students will choose from paralegal elective courses such as Elder Law and Estate Planning; Forensic Science and the Law; and Bankruptcy Law. The programs offer up to three semesters of paralegal internships to allow students to utilize their professional skills while gaining real-world experience and building a professional network. In order to graduate, students must receive a grade of at least a “C” in all Paralegal courses. Admission to the AA in Paralegal requires the completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher. The Paralegal Certificate requires applicants to hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
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.
Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 469-8500
https://www.jccc.edu/
Student Review: “My time at JCCC in the paralegal program was exactly what I was looking for. The paralegal program offered a wide variety of courses at times that fit into my schedule. Professors always made themselves available if needed and usually had pretty long office hours to meet in person. The program faculty all had extensive legal experience and aided students in getting internships regularly. The program’s reputation allowed me to attain an internship which transitioned to a full-time position as soon as I completed the program.” -Student at Johnson County Community College
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/