Paralegal Schools in Louisiana
The paralegal schools in Louisiana offer a range of paralegal and legal assistant programs, which include programs culminating in certificates, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees. This guide to paralegal schools in Louisiana will help you understand your options for pursuing a paralegal certificate or degree in the state. As an alternative to paralegal programs pursued in a traditional classroom setting, you might also wish to consider schools that offer online paralegal programs. Please be sure to visit our paralegal careers in Louisiana guide to find out about potential career opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants.
Quick Facts
- There are 12 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in Louisiana.1
- 7 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 3 schools offer an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 5 schools offer a bachelor’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 1 school offers a master’s degree for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 2 schools ranked in Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs.2
- 3 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools in 2022.3
- 3 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs in 2022.4
- 3 ABA-approved paralegal degree programs are in Louisiana.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 Louisiana
- Select Schools in Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge Community College (Baton Rouge) | Yes | AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 22% | Yes | $5,500 | $9,279 |
| Bossier Parish Community College (Bossier City) | — | Certificate-Legal Assistant | 100% | 15% | — | $8,494 | $8,526 |
| Delgado Community College (New Orleans) | — | Certificate-Paralegal | 100% | 7% | Yes | $8,826 | $9,795 |
| Grambling State University (Grambling) | — | BS-Criminal Justice: Paralegal Studies | 97% | 35% | — | $20,000 | $18,074 |
| Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies | 75% | 70% | Yes | $13,071 | $20,352 |
| Loyola University New Orleans (New Orleans) | — | Certificate-Paralegal; Minor-Legal Studies | 75% | 59% | Yes | $20,500 | $22,596 |
| McNeese State University (Lake Charles) | — | BS-Criminal Justice: Pre-Law | 81% | 47% | Yes | $10,990 | $11,974 |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana (Natchitoches) | — | Certificate-Pre-law and Paralegal; BA-Criminal Justice: Pre-law and Paralegal; Minor-Pre-law and Paralegal | 82% | 47% | Yes | $12,500 | $12,938 |
| Nunez Community College (Chalmette) | — | Certificate-Paralegal Skills; Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 23% | — | $3,500 | $9,658 |
| Remington College-Shreveport Campus (Shreveport) | — | AS-Paralegal | 100% | 51% | — | $9,500 | $19,838 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana (New Orleans) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; BA-General Legal Studies; BSM-Legal Studies in Business; Minor-General Legal Studies; Minor-Legal Studies in Business; Master of Jurisprudence | 13% | 86% | Yes | $22,000 | $40,783 |
| University of Holy Cross (New Orleans) | — | BA-Social Studies: Legal Studies | 32% | 40% | — | $14,250 | $14,324 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs
Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs 2018
- Tulane University (#5)
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana (#9)
US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools 2022
- Tulane University (#60 tie)
- Louisiana State University (#109 tie)
- Loyola University New Orleans (#144 tie)
US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs 2022
- Loyola University New Orleans (#61 tie)
- Tulane University (#80 tie)
- Louisiana State University (#154 tie)
Select Schools in Louisiana with Paralegal Degrees
Traditional Programs
Baton Rouge Community College
Students of the ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies at Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) will have the opportunity to develop the expertise required to assist lawyers in law offices, legal departments, or public service. The four-semester, 60-credit program will help teach students practical legal skills as well as legal ethics, theory, and philosophy. Paralegal courses include required subjects like legal writing and law office computer use, as well as electives such as Criminal Law; Law Office Management; and Personal Injury Law and Procedure. All Paralegal Studies students will take a paralegal practicum in which they will work under an attorney in a professional legal environment. To graduate from the program, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and earn a “C” or better in all paralegal and English composition courses. BRCC has not designed the Paralegal Studies program to be a transfer program, so graduates may not be able to transfer credits to further academic studies. However, graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce as practicing paralegals.
Grambling State University
Grambling State University (GSU) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice with a Paralegal Studies Concentration that seeks to prepare students to enter the paralegal field as professionally educated, qualified paralegals through hands-on field experience and a multi-faceted curriculum. The program requires 120 credits, of which 21 must be used towards paralegal classes to complete the concentration. The four-year curriculum includes liberal arts and general education courses beginning in the freshman year and criminal justice and paralegal courses starting in the second year. Paralegal courses cover topics such as torts, legal research, law office management. An internship is required during the senior year that will allow students to gain experience by applying the skills they have learned in their studies. Graduation requires a grade of “C” or higher in all Paralegal Studies and Criminal Justice courses. Graduates will be prepared for further study or to begin careers as paralegals or legal assistants.
Louisiana State University
The ABA-approved, non-credit Paralegal Studies Certificate program at Louisiana State University (LSU) offers students a real-world internship experience, professional skills development, and a curriculum taught by working legal professionals. The Paralegal Studies curriculum allows students to develop valuable research, technology, and legal skills throughout their classroom experience. The certificate program may take between 12 to 30 months to complete, depending on whether classes are taken part or full time. Completing the program requires eight classes, an internship, and an online ethics seminar. Required courses include The Practicing Paralegal, Law Office Technology, and Legal Case Analysis. Each class meets once a week, and evening courses are available for individuals wishing to pursue the program while working full-time. LSU’s Paralegal Studies Certificate program was developed for individuals who have already completed a college degree; however, applicants who have completed at least 45 credits of college coursework with a GPA of at least 2.3 will be considered.
Nunez Community College
Nunez Community College (NCC) offers an Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal Studies. The 60-credit associate degree curriculum includes 30 credits of general education courses, 15 credits of required paralegal courses including Litigation and Legal Research, and 15 credits of electives such as Criminal Procedure and Business Law. This curriculum prepares students to support lawyers through research, investigations, interviewing, and legal document drafting. Coursework includes instruction in written communication and the current technology skills used in the field. Graduates of the Paralegal Studies program may find paralegal or legal assistant positions in law firms, government offices, or corporate legal departments. NCC also offers a 30-credit Certificate of Technical Studies in Paralegal Studies and a nine-credit Career and Technical Certificate in Paralegal Skills for those interested in an accelerated path to entry-level paralegal positions. Academic credit in any certificate program can transfer and be applied to the associate program.
Hybrid and Online Programs
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Pre-law and Paralegal Studies. The entire program can be completed online, which provides additional flexibility for working students. This bachelor’s degree program includes criminal justice courses that cover various aspects of the law and criminal justice procedure as well as courses in complementary study areas such as sociology, psychology, and political science. To earn the Pre-law and Paralegal Studies concentration, students complete 21 semester hours of pre-law and paralegal courses such as Legal Research and Writing; Litigation; Estates, Trusts, and Wills; Family Relation Law; and Corporations. Graduates of the program are prepared to pursue postgraduate study or transition directly into legal support positions. The NSU Department of Criminal Justice, History, and Social Sciences offers various competitive scholarships and awards exclusively to students pursuing criminal justice degrees. Students desiring to pursue the Pre-Law and Paralegal Studies courses only may do so by pursuing a Pre-Law and Paralegal Studies (PLPS) Certificate of Completion that requires 24 credit hours or a 21-credit Minor in Pre-Law and Paralegal.
Tulane University
The School of Professional Advancement at Tulane University offers an ABA-approved Bachelor of Arts (BA) in General Legal Studies, which can be completed partially online. Tulane’s 120-credit General Legal Studies program includes a wide range of course options, including Legal Research, Legal Writing, Litigation, and Legal Technology. Students can complete the programs through a mixture of online and on-campus courses. Many in-person courses are offered in the evenings to accommodate working students. All courses in the major are taught by practicing lawyers or working paralegals. The BA program includes a mandatory Paralegal Practicum course, during which students are able to experience the real-world responsibilities of paralegals and legal assistants. The internship requires a minimum of 100 hours and may be hosted at a variety of institutions in the area. Graduation from the program requires a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students seeking a non-major legal studies program may be interested in Tulane’s ABA-approved Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies or Minor in General Legal Studies.
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.
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
(225) 578-3202
https://www.lsu.edu/
Student Review: “I enjoyed the paralegal program at LSU. It allowed me to initially choose between studying part-time for 30 months total or full-time through the course of one year. I studied for the year period and was prepared to enter my field of study after this time. My specific area of concentration focused on briefing legal opinions and forming legal documents myself. I especially liked the required intern program offered through LSU which got me into an internship at the organization where I currently work. Overall, I believe that though some things could have been improved upon, such as the required, necessary, court day, though it was a very effective, informative course.” -Student at Louisiana State University
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/