Associate degree programs are usually 60 to 70 semester hours, approximately half paralegal courses and half general education and elective courses. An associate of science is available from St. John's University, a Catholic university based in Jamaica, New York, and University of Great Falls, a Catholic liberal arts university in Great Falls, Montana. An associate of arts in legal studies is obtainable from Washburn University, a public university in Topeka, Kansas. Eastern Kentucky University, a public institution located in Richmond, Kentucky, offers an associate of applied science in paralegal studies.
Bachelor's degree programs are usually 120 to 130 semester hours, about one-third to one-half of which are paralegal or legal studies courses. Quinnipiac University, a private university in Hamden, Connecticut, offers a bachelor of arts with a major in legal studies. A public university in Muncie, Indiana, Ball State University provides two bachelor's degree options for students majoring in legal studies, business law and public law. A private institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University's Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences has a bachelor of science degree in paralegal studies. A public university located in Ada, Oklahoma, East Central University confers a bachelor of science in legal studies. St. John's University, University of Great Falls, Washburn University and Eastern Kentucky University also offer bachelor's degrees in legal or paralegal studies.
Geared toward those who already hold a degree, certificates are another option for paralegal students. A post-degree certificate in legal studies is available from St. John's University and Washburn University. Eastern Kentucky University confers a post-degree certificate in paralegal science. A private university in Pleasant Hill, California, John F. Kennedy University offers both a paralegal certificate embedded into a bachelor of arts in legal studies and a stand alone, post-degree paralegal certificate.
Few universities offer master's degree programs in areas related to paralegal studies. Texas State University-San Marcos awards a master of arts in legal studies, as does Webster University, a private university in St. Louis, Missouri. Montclair State University confers a master of arts in law and governance. Marymount University, a Catholic university in Arlington, Virginia, grants a master of arts in legal administration. Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama offers a master of science in justice and public safety.