Paralegal Schools in Ohio
This guide to paralegal schools in Ohio will equip you with key information so that you can make an informed decision on where to pursue a paralegal degree or certificate. The wide range of paralegal programs in Ohio provides many options to fit your interests and desired career track, from general paralegal programs to specialty programs emphasizing practice areas like litigation or transactional practice. Online paralegal programs can also be a flexible and suitable alternative for some students. Our guide to paralegal careers in Ohio can offer additional information about potential opportunities with a degree or certificate in legal studies.
Quick Facts
- There are 21 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in Ohio.1
- 17 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 13 schools offer an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 7 schools offer a bachelor’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 1 school offers a master’s 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
- 3 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs in 2022.4
- 13 ABA-approved paralegal degree programs are in Ohio.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 Ohio
- Select Schools in Ohio with Paralegal Degrees
Comparison of Paralegal Programs
The table below will help you compare not-for-profit paralegal and legal studies programs in Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont College (St. Clairsville) | — | Certificate-Legal Office Specialist | 100% | 31% | — | $5,274 | $6,194 |
| Capital University (Bexley) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal; Master of Legal Studies | 72% | 62% | — | $20,091 | $21,946 |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (Cincinnati) | — | Certificate-Paralegal; AAB-Paralegal; AAB-Administrative Assistant | 100% | 17% | — | $6,333 | $4,585 |
| Clark State Community College (Springfield) | — | AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 15% | — | $7,070 | $6,414 |
| Columbus State Community College (Columbus) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AAS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 27% | — | $6,500 | $6,027 |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Cleveland) | Yes | AAB-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 21% | Yes | $4,000 | $4,722 |
| Eastern Gateway Community College (Steubenville) | — | Certificate-Paralegal; AAB-Paralegal | 100% | 19% | Yes | $4,673 | $3,528 |
| Edison State Community College (Piqua) | — | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AAB-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 37% | Yes | $8,484 | $8,197 |
| Kent State University at Kent (Kent) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; BA-Paralegal Studies; Minor-Paralegal Studies | 86% | 62% | — | $17,125 | $18,643 |
| Kent State University at Trumbull (Warren) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; BA-Paralegal Studies; Minor-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 16% | — | $17,125 | $7,596 |
| Lake Erie College (Painesville) | — | BA-Legal Studies | 57% | 47% | — | $16,819 | $20,254 |
| Lakeland Community College (Kirtland) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AAB-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 13% | Yes | $6,334 | $7,379 |
| Northwest State Community College (Archbold) | — | AA-Pre-Paralegal Pathway | 100% | 30% | — | $5,216 | $8,456 |
| Rhodes State College (Lima) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal/Legal Assisting AS-Paralegal/Legal Assisting | 100% | 26% | — | $7,546 | $7,450 |
| Sinclair Community College (Dayton) | Yes | Certificate-Legal Studies; AAS-Legal Studies | 100% | 21% | — | $5,425 | $4,431 |
| Stark State College (North Canton) | — | Certificate-Legal Assisting | 100% | 21% | Yes | $8,500 | $6,639 |
| University of Cincinnati-Clermont College (Batavia) | Yes | Certificate- Law and Paralegal Studies; AAB-Law and Paralegal Studies; BS-Law and Paralegal Studies; | 100% | 20% | Yes | $14,000 | $9,412 |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus (Cincinnati) | Yes | Certificate- Law and Paralegal Studies; AAB-Law and Paralegal Studies; BS-Law and Paralegal Studies | 77% | 71% | Yes | $14,000 | $19,219 |
| University of Northwestern Ohio (Lima) | — | AAB-Legal Assisting | 100% | 60% | Yes | $14,667 | $17,399 |
| University of Toledo (Toledo) | Yes | Certificate-Legal Studies; AAS-Paralegal Studies; BS-Paralegal Studies; Minor-Legal Specialties | 96% | 50% | — | $13,000 | $17,822 |
| Ursuline College (Pepper Pike) | Yes | Certificate-Legal Studies; BA-Legal Studies; Minor-Legal Studies | 85% | 53% | — | $22,750 | $17,562 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs in Ohio
US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools 2022
- University of Cincinnati (#81 tie)
- University of Toledo (#129 tie)
- Capital University (#124-193)
US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs 2022
- University of Cincinnati (#149 tie)
- University of Toledo (#154 tie)
- Capital University (#166 tie)
Select Schools in Ohio with Paralegal Degrees
Traditional Programs
Kent State University
Kent State University offers an ABA-approved Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Paralegal Studies that combines a liberal arts foundation with specialized courses in law and legal studies. These specialty courses supplement the general education requirements and aim to equip students with a comprehensive, procedural knowledge of the legal system as well as foster vital critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. Students can choose to commit to general study of the paralegal field or they may choose to focus on either Litigation or Transactional Practice. The program culminates in a mandatory internship during which students develop their ability to practically apply classroom knowledge to legal tasks and begin critical networking within the field. Kent State University also offers a Minor in Paralegal Studies and a Post-Baccalaureate Undergraduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo offers several ABA-approved paralegal degree programs including a four-year Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate. The McQuade Courtroom, an in-house teaching courtroom, holds law courses across a variety of specialties, including Contracts, Mock Trial, and a trial practice class, all of which are taught by lawyers and judges who are experts in their respective fields. The breadth of available courses offers students opportunities to specialize in many areas and the flexible course timetable aims to accommodate a variety of schedules. Students gain the knowledge and skills to learn how to effectively communicate within the field. Students also complete a 180-hour internship to learn real-world skills and advance their careers. The University also offers an ABA-approved Nurse Paralegal Certificate in Paralegal Studies, a Legal Specialties Minor, and a Pre-Law Track.
Network, network, network! Sometimes it’s not ‘what’ you know but ‘who’ you know so it’s beyond important to get involved in your local, state and national paralegal organizations.” –Rebecca Lewis, MBA, MPA, Vice President of the Paralegal Association of Central Ohio and Paralegal Supervisor at the Office of the Chief Legal and Governance Office, Nationwide.
Hybrid and Online Programs
Lakeland Community College
Lakeland Community College offers paralegal studies programs that lead to an Associate of Applied Business (AAB) in Paralegal Studies degree or a Paralegal Studies Certificate. Both programs are approved by the ABA, and graduates are eligible for the Ohio State Bar Association Paralegal Certification. Courses are offered on campus in a flexible format and some are offered online. Students learn legal concepts in foundational courses before choosing from electives such as Real Estate Law and Practice; Litigation Management; and Family Law. Coursework covers legal research and writing, ethics of law, and technology commonly used in the field. Students in both programs also complete a 100-hour paralegal internship. After completing the associate degree or certificate program, graduates can choose to pursue further education or find entry-level positions in law offices, government agencies, or legal departments.
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati offers multiple online programs designed to enable students to succeed in paralegal positions in law firms and other professional legal environments: An Associate of Applied Business (AAB) in Law and Paralegal Studies; a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Law and Paralegal Studies; a Post-Associate Certificate in Law and Paralegal Studies; and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Law and Paralegal Studies. All programs are American Bar Association (ABA) approved. The programs help students build strong communication skills, apply critical thinking, and strengthen their ability to analyze information. An experienced faculty of practicing lawyers and paralegals lead courses such as Civil Litigation; Law Office Technology; and Legal Research and Writing. Students may complete the degree or certificate requirements full- or part-time; the only requirement is that students take at least one credit hour per semester to remain continuously enrolled.
University of Northwestern Ohio
Students can complete an Associate of Applied Business (AAB) in Legal Assisting degree through the University of Northwestern Ohio. This 108-credit hour program can be completed entirely online. The curriculum includes 32 credit hours of general education classes in the liberal arts as well as 73 credit hours in legal subjects including courses like Litigation; Criminal Law; Juvenile Law; and Legal Research and Writing. Classes emphasize core legal concepts but also skills in critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills. The coursework also has a strong focus on legal research and writing methods as well as other real-world legal tools. Courses are led by faculty who are also licensed attorneys with real-world experience, helping students integrate classroom knowledge with on-the-ground practice. Graduates from the Legal Assisting program may go on to work as paralegals or legal assistants or use their associate degree as the foundation for continued education.
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/