Paralegal Schools in Oklahoma
The paralegal schools in Oklahoma offer a variety of programs for earning paralegal certificates as well as associate’s, bachelor’s, and advanced degrees. This guide to your paralegal program options will help you find the information you need to make the right choice for your interests and career goals. You can also evaluate online paralegal programs, which may be a better fit for some students. Be sure to visit our paralegal careers in Oklahoma page to find out more about employment opportunities for legal assistants and paralegals in the state.
Quick Facts
- There are 9 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in Oklahoma.1
- 3 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 2 schools offer an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 3 schools offer a bachelor’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 2 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- No 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
- No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs in 2022.4
- 3 ABA-approved paralegal degree programs are in Oklahoma.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 Oklahoma
- Select Schools in Oklahoma with Paralegal Degrees
Comparison of Paralegal Programs
The table below will help you compare not-for-profit paralegal and legal studies programs in Oklahoma 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Care College (Tulsa) | — | Diploma-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 72% | Yes | $9,105 | $21,662 |
| East Central University (Ada) | — | BS-Legal Studies; Minor-Legal Studies | 59% | 39% | — | $9,591 | $9,776 |
| Northeastern State University (Tahlequah) | — | BS-Legal Studies | 100% | 36% | Yes | $11,650 | $9,790 |
| Oklahoma City University (Oklahoma City) | — | Master of Legal Studies | 75% | 71% | Yes | $18,603 | $25,072 |
| Rose State College (Midwest City) | Yes | AAS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 15% | — | $3,500 | $9,321 |
| Tulsa Community College (Tulsa) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal; AA-Paralegal | 100% | 22% | — | $5,990 | $6,313 |
| University of Central Oklahoma | — | BBA-Business Law; Minor-Finance: Business Law | 84% | 35% | — | $11,625 | $16,746 |
| University of Oklahoma Law Center (Norman) | Yes | Certificate-Legal Assistant; Master of Law Studies | 80% | 72% | Yes | $15,000 | $21,836 |
| University of Tulsa (Tulsa) | — | Minor-Law, Policy, and Social Justice | 36% | 73% | — | $19,250 | $25,333 |
- — 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 Oklahoma (#67)
- University of Tulsa (#111)
- Oklahoma City University (#147-193)
Select Schools in Oklahoma with Paralegal Degrees
Traditional Programs
East Central University
Students at East Central University (ECU) can pursue a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Legal Studies that will help prepare them to enter the legal profession as a paralegal or continue on to further study in law. The curriculum combines a liberal arts education with theoretical and practical instruction in legal subjects. The Legal Studies program will help students develop useful skills such as legal research, legal writing, and office skills used in a law office. Students are required to take 124 semester hours of courses, including 45 hours of general education classes, 54 hours of legal studies coursework, and 25 hours of electives. Legal Studies courses include Civil Procedure and Litigation; Real Estate Law; and Administrative Law. To expose students to a professional legal environment, all students must take a Legal Internship course. Students may transfer up to 94 credits from another accredited college or university. Graduation requires a grade of “C” or higher in all major coursework. ECU also offers an 18-semester hour Minor in Legal Studies.
Northeastern State University
Northeastern State University (NSU) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Legal Studies that combines practical skills and legal theory to help students prepare for positions in all areas of the legal field. The program is structured to help students learn the basic history and organization of the American legal system and to develop analytical and legal research skills. The 124-credit hour degree includes 46 credits of general education courses, which must be taken within the first 90 credits of coursework. Most of the 42 hours of Legal Studies coursework is taken during the last two years of study and includes upper-level courses such as Technology Applications in the Legal Environment; Electronic Legal Research and Writing; and Legal Analysis. To graduate, students must complete an additional minor or a second major and complete all major coursework with a grade of “C” or higher. Graduates of NSU’s Paralegal Studies program will be prepared to work in law offices, government positions, or continue their legal education.
Rose State College
The Paralegal Studies program at Rose State College is a two-year, ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science (AAS) offered through the Business and Information Technology Division. This program prepares students for entry-level positions in legal settings as legal assistants or paralegals by equipping them with practical skills bolstered by a foundation of substantive legal knowledge. Students should learn the role of paralegals and the ethical responsibilities of paralegals in various legal settings and understand how paralegals assist in the practice of law. Courses in the 63-credit curriculum are offered as both day and evening sessions to accommodate a variety of schedules and include 36 credits of paralegal coursework and 27 credits of general education classes. Core courses such as Law Office Practice and Procedures; Information Management in Law; and Civil Procedure require a “C” or higher grade to graduate. Graduates of the Paralegal Studies program will be able to draft legal documents, conduct witness interviews, and perform legal research.
Tulsa Community College
At Tulsa Community College (TCC), students can earn an ABA-approved Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal Studies. The six-semester AA degree is designed for students who want to continue their education and transfer to a four-year institution or who are interested in finding an entry-level job in the paralegal field. Students in the 64-credit hour program learn practical paralegal skills such as conducting research, drafting documents, and interviewing clients. Through courses in subjects like Contract Law, Civil Procedure, Real Property Law, and the Paralegal Studies Capstone, students learn foundational legal concepts. Once students have finished their studies, they should be eligible to sit for the Certified Paralegal examination given by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the Professional Paralegal exam organized by the National Association for Legal Professionals (NALS). TCC also offers a Paralegal Studies Certificate for students who have already completed an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Seek either a paying or even non-paying internship at a local firm. This type of hands-on experience is incredibly valuable. Also, if you do a great job and make yourself indispensable, these positions could turn into something more once you graduate, or at the very least provide another source of references.” –Johnanna Oglesby, CP, Vice President of the Oklahoma Paralegal Association.
Hybrid and Online Programs
Community Care College
The Paralegal Studies Diploma at Community Care College (CCC) can be completed in under a year and is available entirely online. The curriculum is delivered asynchronously, allowing students to study and take classes at their own pace. Students in the program will receive instruction in practical paralegal skills such as interviewing clients, legal research, and legal writing while studying various types of law, including contract law, criminal law, and estate law. Graduates will be prepared to find positions as legal assistants and paralegals. Paralegal Studies students have access to CCC’s Career Services, which offers assistance with job search skills, resume development, interviewing skills, and salary negotiation. Past CCC Paralegal Studies graduates have gone on to work for employers such as the Adair County District Attorney’s Office, BH Management Services LLC, and Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma. Applicants who are currently in their junior or senior year of high school with a GPA of 3.0 or above may apply for concurrent enrollment and begin at CCC before graduation.
University of Oklahoma Law Center
The Department of Legal Assistant Education at the University of Oklahoma Law Center (OU Law) offers an ABA-approved Legal Assistant Certificate program that may be completed in 18 months, either entirely online through synchronous classes or through a hybrid format. Students complete 23 credits in practical subjects such as legal writing, analysis, and research and take substantive courses such as Civil Procedure, Evidence, and Law Practice Management. The Certificate program requires five elective courses that may be used to specialize in one or many legal topics. An optional internship is also available for motivated students seeking real-world work experience. In addition to the legal coursework, students must complete 37 credit hours of general education coursework, which can be taken either before the core courses or at the same time.
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/