Paralegal Schools in Mississippi
The following guide to paralegal schools in Mississippi is designed to help you find the information you need to make an informed choice to support your career as a paralegal/legal assistant. The colleges and universities in Mississippi offer a variety of paralegal programs that may be a good match for your career aspirations. As an alternative to traditional on-campus or classroom study, you may also find that online paralegal degree programs can provide a more flexible option. Please visit our guide to paralegal careers in Mississippi to learn more about job opportunities for paralegal graduates.
Quick Facts
- There are 12 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in Mississippi.1
- 4 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 8 schools offer an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 4 schools offer a bachelor’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- No schools offer a master’s or advanced degree for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 1 school ranked in Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs.2
- 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools in 2022.3
- 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs in 2022.4
- 2 ABA-approved paralegal degree programs are in Mississippi.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 Mississippi
- Select Schools in Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coahoma Community College (Clarksville) | — | AAS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 38% | — | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Wesson) | — | AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 51% | Yes | $3,500 | $4,875 |
| Hinds Community College (Raymond) | — | Certificate-Paralegal Technology; AAS-Paralegal Technology | 100% | 39% | Yes | $4,200 | $4,405 |
| Holmes Community College (Goodman) | — | Certificate-Paralegal Technology; AAS-Paralegal Technology | 100% | 41% | Yes | $3,840 | $6,045 |
| Itawamba Community College (Fulton) | — | AA-General Studies: Paralegal; AAS-Paralegal Technology | 100% | 46% | Yes | $4,415 | $5,042 |
| Jones County Junior College (Ellisville) | — | AAS-Paralegal Technology | 100% | 36% | — | $4,438 | $6,157 |
| Mississippi College (Clinton) | — | BS-Paralegal Studies | 42% | 65% | Yes | $16,000 | $18,800 |
| Mississippi University for Women (Columbus) | Yes | BA-Legal Studies; BS-Legal Studies; BAS-Business Administration: Legal Administration; Minor-Legal Studies | 97% | 46% | Yes | $12,500 | $13,023 |
| Northeast Mississippi Community College (Booneville) | — | Certificate-Paralegal Technology; AAS-Paralegal Technology | 100% | 38% | — | $5,500 | $5,861 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College (Senatobia) | — | Certificate-Paralegal Technology; AAS-Legal Studies; AAS-Paralegal Technology | 100% | 34% | Yes | $4,243 | $6,459 |
| University of Mississippi (University) | — | BA-Political Science: Law and Courts; BS-Legal Studies: Paralegals; Minor-Law Studies | 88% | 67% | — | $15,000 | $13,540 |
| University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg) | Yes | BA-Legal Studies; Minor-Legal Studies | 97% | 50% | — | $15,750 | $14,794 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs
Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs 2018
- Mississippi College (#21)
US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools 2022
- University of Mississippi (#98 tie)
- Mississippi College (#147-193)
US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs 2022
- Mississippi College (#166 tie)
Select Schools in Mississippi with Paralegal Degrees
Traditional Programs
Mississippi University for Women
The Mississippi University for Women (The W) offers an ABA-approved bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies that can be pursued as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS). The program requires 124 credits to complete, of which 39 credits are taken towards the Legal Studies major. Over four years, students will take functional legal studies courses such as Legal Bibliography and Research; Legal Writing; and Law Office Management and Technology. In addition to the practical coursework, the curriculum includes legal subjects like litigation, business law, and torts. The Practical Legal Lab course allows students to bring their education to a professional environment in a specialization of their choosing in order to gain hands-on experience. Graduates of the bachelor’s program in Legal Studies should be prepared to find work in government, private law firms, insurance, and healthcare, among a variety of other fields. Students from other majors may be interested in The W’s Minor in Legal Studies.
University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi’s (Southern Miss) ABA-approved Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Legal Studies Paralegal Track incorporates a broad-based liberal arts education with the practical legal skills and knowledge needed to pursue an entry-level position in a private law firm, bank, government agency, or corporation. The program includes general education requirements covering basic science, math, written communication, global history, and computer competency. The law-specific courses focus on a variety of substantive legal areas with courses such as Property Law, Equity Practice, and International Law. The curriculum also helps students foster professional skills like legal research, presentation, and document drafting. Students can pursue hands-on opportunities through the Mock Trial course and up to nine credits of internships. Graduation from the program requires a GPA of at least 2.5 and a minor in a different subject. A Minor in Legal Studies is available for students from other programs who wish to develop their understanding of the legal field.
Join a paralegal association and participate in every opportunity to volunteer provided by that organization. Many, if not most, job openings are never advertised. They are filled because someone knows someone. Active participation in paralegal organizations and pro bono projects can make you the someone who someone knows.” –Robert E. Mongue, MA, JD, Secretary for the American Association for Paralegal Education and Associate Professor of Legal Studies at The University of Mississippi.
Hybrid and Online Programs
Hinds Community College
Hinds Community College offers a hybrid Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Technology that can be completed primarily online. Required legal courses that must be taken on campus are often offered in both the daytime and evening. The 60- to 62-credit curriculum includes a broad academic core and classes that build paralegal skills, like Legal Research and Law Office Management. Specialization courses within the legal field are also offered, such as Real Property and Family Law. Students may also pursue an internship elective to gain experience in a professional setting and begin building a network. Graduation from the Paralegal Technology program requires the completion of a skills assessment exam. The program typically takes two years to complete, and students can potentially transfer academic credit from other accredited institutions. After finishing the AAS program, graduates are qualified to find entry-level positions as paralegals and legal assistants in law firms, government agencies, courts, nonprofits, and corporations.
Itawamba Community College
Itawamba Community College (ICC) hosts an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Technology that is designed to train students to perform legal work under the supervision of a lawyer. The curriculum requires 61 to 62 credits to complete with a combination of general education and paralegal coursework. The program is offered in person at the ICC’s Tupelo campus or online to accommodate the needs of working students. During the two-year program, students will take classes in paralegal subjects that include Legal Writing, Legal Research, and Law Office Management. The curriculum also includes legal subjects such as property law, business law, and estate law. In the final semester, students will take an internship course working in a professional legal environment. Graduates of the program will meet the requirements to take the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) certification exams. ICC also offers a one-year Certificate of Completion in Legal Technology.
Mississippi College
Mississippi College (MC) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Paralegal Studies. Students may pursue the 130-semester hour program either on-campus or online. Students will complete at least 36 hours of general education classes in subjects such as history, English, and science. Through the Paralegal Studies coursework, students can develop their critical thinking abilities, understanding of legal theory, and practical paralegal skills. The program introduces legal topics like civil litigation, wills and estates, and family law. Students will also take courses in the skills necessary to assist attorneys, including Legal Research and Bibliography; Legal Writing; and Law Office Management. In addition to the Paralegal Studies major, students must complete an 18-hour minor in a different subject. Graduates are prepared to find paralegal and legal assistant positions in private law firms, business legal departments, and government agencies.
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Technology at Northwest Mississippi Community College (NWCC). This two-year degree can be completed entirely online or in a traditional classroom format. Students will learn the foundational concepts of the legal field as well as aspects of different areas of law, such as family law and estate law. The core curriculum includes classes like Civil Litigation; Torts, Wills and Estates; and Real Property. In addition to legal classes, students will focus on the practical skills needed in the legal industry, such as legal writing, interviewing, and research. The 60-credit curriculum also includes four elective courses. In the final semester, students will pursue an internship to gain real-world experience in a working professional environment. As part of the program students will take the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) Accredited Legal Professional Exam (ALP). The Paralegal Technology program helps prepare graduates to find positions in a range of fields such as insurance, real estate, and banking, as well as traditional law firms or government agencies. NWCC also offers a 30-credit Career Certificate and a 45-credit Technical Certificate in Paralegal Technology.
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.
Mississippi University for Women
1100 College St
Columbus, MS 39701
(877) 462-8439
https://www.muw.edu/
Student Review: “In my 4.5 year college career, I was challenged beyond my expectations. As with all colleges, you start with the same classes that all freshmen do, which were easy to comprehend, and gave me a false sense of how easy my future studies would be. Once I passed my general classes and entered into my core studies, I soon found out that the effort I put into my previous studies would be substandard. I found myself immersed in a foreign world of terms to which I had no clue as to what they meant. If it weren’t for my talented professors and instructors who showed their passion for law, then I would have lost my interest in the program. Several instructors provided means to which we could all contact past students who were currently thriving in the paralegal community, as well as bringing in high profile lawyers who provided a completely different perspective on the area of study.” -student at Mississippi University for Women
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/