Paralegal Schools in North Dakota

The colleges and universities in North Dakota offer limited options for earning a degree in paralegal studies. This guide to paralegal schools in North Dakota will help you find the information you need to make the right choice for your personal interests and career aspirations. With so few programs in the state, you might consider searching for paralegal programs in nearby states such as Minnesota, Montana, or South Dakota. As an alternative to traditional classroom-based programs, you may wish to consider an online paralegal program, which can offer a more flexible schedule for working students. Be sure to visit our guide to paralegal careers in North Dakota to find out more about employment for paralegal graduates in the state.

Quick Facts

• There are 2 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in North Dakota.¹
• No schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.¹
• 1 school offers an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.¹
• No 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
• No schools ranked in Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs.²
• 1 school 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
• No ABA-approved paralegal degree programs are in North Dakota.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 North Dakota
• Select Schools in North Dakota with Paralegal Degrees

Comparison of Paralegal Programs

The table below will help you compare not-for-profit paralegal and legal studies programs in North Dakota 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.

• — 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 North Dakota (#80 tie)

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

• University of North Dakota (#147-193)

Select Schools in North Dakota with Paralegal Degrees

Traditional Programs

University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota (UND) offers a Minor in Legal Studies that can help students prepare for careers as paralegals, court liaisons, policy coordinators, or other roles in the legal field. The interdisciplinary program requires 21 credits across the disciplines of criminal justice, political science, philosophy, and psychology. Students will take four required classes, including Criminal Law; Introduction to Law and Legal Studies; Philosophy of Law; and American Constitution-Government Powers. The remaining three elective classes must come from at least two of the four disciplines included in the curriculum, such as Law and Society; Philosophy of Race and Postcolonialism; American Constitution-Civil Liberties; and Psychology and Law. For those seeking further study in law, the Legal Studies Minor offers the opportunity to take a simulated first-year law school class. UND also offers a 3+3 program that will allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctorate (JD) in six years.

Proof, proof, proof your resume before applying to a job. You do not need a business course in order to learn how to properly format a resume. Find a reputable website – there are plenty out there – that give examples of properly formatted resumes.” –Leigh Johnson, 1st Vice President of the Western Dakota Legal Assistants Association.

Hybrid and Online Programs

Bismarck State College

Bismarck State College (BSC) offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Administrative Assistant with a Legal emphasis designed for students interested in careers as legal support staff. This program can be completed entirely online as well as on-campus or in a hybrid format to accommodate a variety of scheduling needs. Students must complete 61 to 63 credits, including courses focused on building practical skills in business writing and office software, and legal courses such as Criminal Law, Business Law, and Introduction to Criminal Justice. To gain practical experience, students are required to complete a cooperative education course or an internship as part of the degree plan. BSC requires students to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 to complete the AAS degree. Graduates from this program may be able to find legal administrative support staff positions in law, government, bank, real estate, or business offices.

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/