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Paralegal Schools in Nebraska

This guide to paralegal schools in Nebraska will provide you with in-depth information that you can use to decide where to pursue an education in the paralegal/legal assistant field. The paralegal schools in Nebraska offer a variety of degree and certificate programs and may also offer options for specializing in areas such as litigation or business. There are also schools that offer online paralegal degrees and certificates that you may find to be a better fit for your schedule. Please visit our guide to paralegal careers in Nebraska to find information on job opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants in the state.

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 Nebraska 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
Bellevue University (Bellevue)—BS-Legal Studies100%23%Yes$13,150$15,629
College of Saint Mary (Omaha)YesCertificate-Paralegal Studies;
AA-Paralegal Studies;
BA-Paralegal Studies;
Minor-Paralegal Studies		49%61%—$21,000$15,128
Metropolitan Community College (Omaha)YesCertificate-Legal Studies;
AA-Paralegal		100%16%—$3,378$4,079
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Lincoln)—Master of Legal Studies78%66%—$13,875$17,341

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

Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs

Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs 2018

  • Bellevue University (#22)

US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools 2022

  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln (#87)

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

  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln (#121 tie)

Select Schools in Nebraska with Paralegal Degrees

Traditional Programs

College of St. Mary

The Paralegal Studies program at the College of St. Mary offers two degree options: a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or an Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal Studies. Both degrees are approved by the ABA and offer a liberal arts curriculum paired with a selection of legal courses. In the BA program, students will take 44 credits of legal courses, while the AA program requires 29 credits in the major. Coursework required of all paralegal students includes Real Estate Law, Contracts, and Law Office Administration. BA students must participate in an internship program at a local law firm, government office, corporation, or nonprofit. Paralegal Studies courses are taught by a faculty of attorneys, many of whom still practice within their fields and can provide valuable insight into the legal profession. The college also offers two non-degree options in Paralegal Studies: an ABA-approved Post-Baccalaureate Certificate and a minor that is available only to nursing majors.

Metropolitan Community College

Metropolitan Community College (MCC) offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal and Legal Studies (LSPAO) at its South Omaha campus that provides an education in legal ideas, institutions, and processes. The 108-credit hour curriculum includes 22.5 credit hours of general education courses as well as coursework in several areas of substantive law. The 58.5-hour major requirements are covered by practical classes such as Public Speaking and Law Office Technology as well as legal courses like Employment Law and Business Law. A two-term required internship program allows students to experience corporate and law office environments under the supervision of an attorney. Paralegal students will choose a 27-credit concentration in General, Business, or Litigation. The curriculum is advised by a board of attorneys, paralegals, and other legal professionals. Admission into the program requires a grade of “C” or higher in the course Legal Research and Writing I. MCC also offers a Legal Studies Certificate for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The School of Law and the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) offers a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) designed for students seeking a better understanding of the law to advance their careers. The 33-credit program can be taken full-time or part-time and can be completed in as little as one year by full-time students and must be completed within three years by part-time students. Students in the MLS program take two required classes: Legal, Analysis, Writing and Research, as well as one of the following: Contracts; Property; or Torts. The other classes in the curriculum are taken as electives. In order to graduate with the MLS, students must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or better and pass a final oral exam. A joint degree program in Law-Psychology is available with the UNL Department of Psychology leading to the MLS with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology. In addition, a joint MLS and Master of Arts (MA) in Gerontology is available in conjunction with the University of Nebraska-Omaha Department of Gerontology.

Volunteer in your community, as many service organizations welcome paralegal volunteers because of the education, experience, attention to detail, and professionalism brought to the environment.” –Mianne L. Besser, President and NFPA Secondary of the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association.

Hybrid and Online Programs

Bellevue University

Students can earn an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Legal Studies at Bellevue University. This degree program can be completed on campus or entirely online, allowing students to adapt their coursework to fit their schedules. Both on-campus and online students follow the same curriculum, with courses such as Theory and Practice of Law; The Legal System and Judicial Ethics; and Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing required to complete the 127-credit hour degree. In addition to general education and legal studies coursework, Bellevue requires students to complete a three-class Kirkpatrick Signature Series, which analyzes the foundations and traditions of American society and values. Students transferring with an associate degree or 60 credits from another school may be able to join an accelerated cohort and take one class at a time with a group of peers. Graduates will be prepared for further study or careers in the legal field.

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/