Essential Information
Prospective paralegals in Indiana can choose from nine schools with programs in paralegal studies, including the six profiled below. Associate and bachelor's degree programs are the most common, but certificate programs are often available for students with a bachelor's degree in another field. The curriculum may include a legal internship. A few schools in the state have programs approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Ball State University
The political science department at Ball State University offers a bachelor's degree program in legal studies that is approved by the ABA. With business and public law options, the program allows undergraduates to concentrate on the setting in which they want to practice. Both options include courses in American government, the criminal justice system, law enforcement, litigation and IT for paralegals. Business law students study economics, statistics and labor laws, while public law students focus on state and local politics, urban government and real estate laws.
Calumet College of Saint Joseph
Whiting's Calumet College of Saint Joseph has several options for aspiring paralegals. The school's associate degree program includes introductory paralegal classes and a general education course load, while participants in the bachelor's degree program take courses in civil litigation, criminal law and contract law. Undergraduates in this program must complete an internship.
Indiana University - South Bend
Indiana University's South Bend campus offers a 21-credit-hour certificate program in paralegal studies through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students can take part-time evening courses and complete the requirements in two-and-a-half years or participate in the one-year accelerated program. This program includes courses in litigation, property and estate law, expository writing, client interviewing and paralegal technology.
Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis has an associate degree in paralegal studies. Students in the 63- to 69-credit Associate of Applied Science program can complete on-campus or online courses in tort and property law, commercial law and interpersonal communication. The program includes a capstone course.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Undergraduates at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, located in Saint Mary of the Woods, can pursue ABA-approved programs in paralegal studies. Students with a previous bachelor's degree take the 27-credit-hour certificate program, which includes courses in civil litigation, liability, ethics and commercial transactions. Associate degree candidates take these basic courses along with legal communication and paralegal electives. Those in the bachelor's degree program choose between tracks in litigation and personal law. Required and elective courses for this major include mediation, intellectual property, environmental law, crime scene investigation and law office administration. All students learn Westlaw, a legal research computer application, and participate in a supervised 150-hour practicum.
Vincennes University
The ABA has approved the paralegal associate degree program at Vincennes University. In addition to the university's core courses, students receive training in tort law, criminal and civil procedures, bankruptcy and probate law, land transactions and law office management. Undergraduates also receive assistance in building a resume and portfolio through a research and professional seminar course. The program also offers an optional legal internship.
School Comparison: At a Glance
| School Name | School Type & Setting | Paralegal Programs Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2018-2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State University | Four-year, public; small city | Bachelor's Degree in Legal Studies | $9,896 (in-state), $26,468 (out-of-state)* |
| Calumet College of Saint Joseph | Four-year, private, not-for-profit; large suburb | Associate of Science in Criminal Justice with a Pre-Law or Professional Studies Concentration , Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Pre-Law or Professional Studies Concentration |
$19,170* |
| Indiana University - South Bend | Four-year, public; midsize city | Certificate in Paralegal Studies | $7,344 (in-state), $19,400 (out-of-state)* |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Two-year, public; large city | Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies | $4,368 (in-state), $8,402 (out-of-state)* |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Four-year, private, not-for-profit; rural fringe | Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies, Bachelor's Degree in Paralegal Studies, Paralegal Studies Certificate |
$29,960* |
| Vincennes University | Four-year, public; remote town | Associate of Science in Paralegal | $5,902 (in-state), $13,959 (out-of-state)* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.
