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Ivy Tech School of Public Affairs & Social Services

Legal & Paralegal Studies

Create a more just world

What You'll Learn

Are you looking for a meaningful career that empowers you to help others? Are you passionate about justice, equity, and equality? Do you enjoy using research, writing, and analytical skills? 

If so, the Legal and Paralegal Studies program at Ivy Tech could be right for you. We offer a variety of credentials for those who are interested in the law.

Students who want to pursue the A.S. in Legal Studies are starting on the path to obtain a bachelor’s degree in a related field. For students who are interested in becoming lawyers, our A.S. degree will allow the student to transfer to a four-year college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree. Students must have a bachelor’s degree to apply to Indiana’s ABA-approved law schools.

Students who want to pursue the A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies want to be ready to work in a law firm at the conclusion of their degree as a paralegal, legal administrative assistant, or legal assistant. The title of the job may vary by law firm and by geographic area of the state. However, the job is to support attorneys in the work they do serving clients. Paralegals must work under the supervision of an attorney.

As a Legal or Paralegal Studies student at Ivy Tech, you will: 

  • Establish a strong knowledge base that you can build upon as you work towards a Juris Doctorate degree. 
  • Gain a solid understanding of government structures, sources of law, civil procedure, and litigation.
  • Learn to conduct research and write for the legal field.
  • Develop a sense of legal ethics.
  • Develop skills in law office management, communication, organization, critical thinking, interviewing, and investigation. 

Career Options

The legal field provides stability and plenty of opportunities for growth. For example, employment opportunities for Legal Assistants are expected to grow 14% between 2021 and 2031. This is much faster than the average for all occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). 

A degree in Legal or Paralegal Studies prepares you for further study or a career in the legal field. The program builds a foundation for the following careers based on the path you choose.

Common Careers for Legal Studies AS Graduates
The Associate of Science in Legal Studies is designed to give students a strong foundation to take with them to a four-year institution after Ivy Tech. Associate degree credits can be applied to a bachelor's degree, and some graduates even continue on to pursue a master's degree. All of this continued education results in higher earning jobs, like a lawyer, which on average earns $101,109 per year in Indiana.* Common careers of these graduates include:

  • Lawyer
  • Probation officer
  • Victim advocate

Common Careers for Paralegal Studies AAS Graduates
The Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies is designed to help students start their career in the legal field immediately after graduation. Common careers of these graduates include:

  • Legal Administrative Assistant
  • Legal Assistant
  • Paralegal
  • Law Office Manager
  • Administrative Assistant

*Salary of a lawyer in Indiana is from lightcast.io for Q2 of 2023.

Degree Types Offered

Credential Type Associate Degree – Career-Ready Degree Associate Degree – Transferable Degree Long-Term Certificates – known as Technical Certificates (TC) Short-Term Certificate – known as a Certificate (CT)
Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Online Option Available icon Legal Studies Associate of Science (AS) Land Title Fundamentals Paralegal Studies Next-Level Jobs icon Paralegal Studies Online Option Available icon Next-Level Jobs icon
A Good Fit If...
  • You would like to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation
  • You are passionate about the legal field and enjoy helping others
  • You are passionate about working towards a more just, equitable world
  • You would like to pursue a bachelor's degree in legal studies and eventually go to law school 
  • You are a post-baccalaureate student who wishes to change careers or complete another degree
  • You are currently in the title industry looking to increase your skills in the evolving field
  • You desire to quickly start a career in the title industry
  • You would like to complete an in-depth certificate program to prepare for a career in the industry
  • You would like to build upon skills gained in the short-term certificate program
  • You are interested in pursuing the associate degree and would like to complete a certificate on the way
  • You are a returning student looking to see if further study or work as a paralegal could be right for you
  • You are already working in the legal field and wish to advance your career
Where Offered See 8 locations See 9 locations See 1 location See 12 locations See 10 locations
Length of Program 60 credit hours
5-6 semesters
60 credit hours
5-6 semesters
30 credit hours
2 semesters
31 credit hours
4-5 semesters
18 credit hours
3-4 semesters
Cost2 $10,703 $10,703 $5,351 $5,530 $3,211

Credential Type

A Good Fit If...

Where Offered

Length of Program

Cost2

Associate Degree – Career-Ready Degree
Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Online Option Available icon
  • You would like to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation
  • You are passionate about the legal field and enjoy helping others
See 8 locations 60 credit hours
5-6 semesters
$10,703
Associate Degree – Transferable Degree
Legal Studies Associate of Science (AS)
  • You are passionate about working towards a more just, equitable world
  • You would like to pursue a bachelor's degree in legal studies and eventually go to law school 
  • You are a post-baccalaureate student who wishes to change careers or complete another degree
See 9 locations 60 credit hours
5-6 semesters
$10,703
Long-Term Certificates – known as Technical Certificates (TC)
Land Title Fundamentals
  • You are currently in the title industry looking to increase your skills in the evolving field
  • You desire to quickly start a career in the title industry
See 1 location 30 credit hours
2 semesters
$5,351
Paralegal Studies Next-Level Jobs icon
  • You would like to complete an in-depth certificate program to prepare for a career in the industry
  • You would like to build upon skills gained in the short-term certificate program
  • You are interested in pursuing the associate degree and would like to complete a certificate on the way
See 12 locations 31 credit hours
4-5 semesters
$5,530
Short-Term Certificate – known as a Certificate (CT)
Paralegal Studies Online Option Available icon Next-Level Jobs icon
  • You are a returning student looking to see if further study or work as a paralegal could be right for you
  • You are already working in the legal field and wish to advance your career
See 10 locations 18 credit hours
3-4 semesters
$3,211

Associate Degree – Career-Ready Degree

  • The AAS in Paralegal Studies program gives students a solid knowledge base that can empower them to launch a career in the field. They take courses on legal research, law office technology, civil procedure, ethics, contracts and commercial law, and more. 

    APPLY NOW   Request More Info

    Required Courses

    Associate degree graduates must complete a total of 60 credit hours:

    • 19 general education course credits
    • 41 program-specific course credits

    View Course Descriptions

    SEARCH UPCOMING COURSES

    Completion Guide

    A completion guide provides the recommended path to graduation, broken out by eight-week terms. 

    View AS in Paralegal Studies Completion Guide

    Please consult with your advisor to determine which courses are the best option for you. Completion guides may vary by campus/location.

    Student Outcomes

    Student Outcomes (SOs) are the competencies that Ivy Tech students should be well versed in upon graduating from the program.

    See SOs

    Close

Associate Degree – Transferable Degree

  • In the AS in Legal Studies program, students discover the intricacies of the American legal system. They learn legal ethics, writing, research methods, and resources. Students can choose several additional courses from the transfer cluster including creative writing, technical writing, criminal law, and more. 

    The Associate of Science in Legal Studies is designed for students who wish to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree. You can save upward of $10,000 by completing your first two years at Ivy Tech and then transferring!

    Our students typically transfer into bachelor’s degree programs in legal studies, paralegal studies, or law in liberal arts. Other graduates have gone on to study general studies, organizational management, psychology, political science, and a variety of other bachelor’s degree programs.

    Our Legal Studies program currently has partnerships with multiple schools so you can seamlessly transfer without losing your credits or time.

    Talk to our transfer advocates for information about continuing your education after completing your associate degree at Ivy Tech. You are also encouraged to contact the university to which you plan to transfer. Note that admission is not guaranteed just by enrolling in the Legal Studies program. You will need to be admitted to the institution you intend to transfer to.

    APPLY NOW  Request More Info

    Required Courses

    Associate degree graduates must complete a total of 60 credit hours:

    • 30 general education course credits
    • 1 student success course credit
    • 29 program-specific course credits

    View Course Descriptions

    SEARCH UPCOMING COURSES

    Completion Guide

    A completion guide provides the recommended path to graduation, broken out by eight-week terms. 

    View AS in Legal Studies Completion Guide

    Please consult with your advisor to determine which courses are the best option for you. Completion guides may vary by campus/location.

    Student Outcomes

    Student Outcomes (SOs) are the competencies that Ivy Tech students should be well versed in upon graduating from the program.

    See SOs

    Close

Long-Term Certificates known as Technical Certificates (TC)

  • Created in partnership with the Indiana Land Title Association’s (ILTA) Accreditation Subcommittee, Ivy Tech's Land Title Fundamentals Technical Certificate (TC), is designed for future and current title industry professionals. Given the partnership in which the TC was created, you may hear it referred to as the ILTA Pathway.

    Title insurance has been part of the fabric of the American real estate and financial industries from the home front to small business and big business ventures since the mid-1800’s, and the title industry continues to evolve through its second century.

    Graduates of the Land Title Fundamentals TC will learn and sharpen their skill sets in the following areas of the title industry: accounting, business management, customer service, ethics, insurance, marketing, real estate, settlement service, and technology. Additionally, while in the program, students will be able to personalize their certificate by choosing three out of five elective courses to take, including an internship with a title company as one of the elective options.

    Apply Now   Request More Info

    Required Courses

    Graduates must complete a total of 30 credit hours, including the following courses:

    • BUSN - 160 - Introduction to Insurance
    • BUSN - 260 - Property and Liability Insurance Principles
    • BUSN - 262 - Personal Insurance
    • BUSN - 264 - Commercial Insurance
    • LEGS - 101 - Introduction to Legal Studies
    • LEGS - 107 - Contracts and Commercial Law
    • LEGS - 108 - Property Law
    • LEGS - 205 - Business Associations
    • LEGS - 209 - Family Law
    • LEGS - 210 - Wills Trust and Estates
    • LEGS - 212 - Bankruptcy Law
    • LEGS - 230 - Indiana Land Title

    SEARCH UPCOMING COURSES

    Completion Guide

    A completion guide provides the recommended path to graduation, broken out by eight-week terms. 

    View Land Title Fundamentals TC Completion Guide

    Please consult with your advisor to determine which classes are the best option for you to take. Completion guides may vary by campus/location.

    Close
  • The Paralegal Studies Technical Certificate (CT) builds upon the short-term certificate program with several elective and general education courses. Upon completion of the program, you will have the knowledge and skills to begin working or continue on to the associate degree program. 

    Apply Now   Request More Info

    Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree

    A recommended path to the associate degree in Paralegal Studies is to complete one or more of the certificates offered by Ivy Tech while working toward the degree. The certificates are designed to provide gateways toward entry-level paralegal careers, so you can begin working quickly. You may then choose to pursue a credential that requires more credits and time in order to learn more and move up in your professional career. You can apply the credits from your certificate to your higher-level credential at Ivy Tech to make the most of your time and tuition.

    Required Courses

    Graduates must complete a total of 31 credit hours:

    • 4 general education course credits
    • 27 program-specific course credits

    VIEW COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

    SEARCH UPCOMING COURSES

    Completion Guide

    A completion guide provides the recommended path to graduation, broken out by eight-week terms. 

    View Paralegal Studies TC Completion Guide

    Please consult with your advisor to determine which classes are the best option for you to take. Completion guides may vary by campus/location.

    Student Outcomes

    Student Outcomes (SOs) are the competencies that Ivy Tech students should be well versed in upon graduating from the program.

    See SOs

    Close

Short-Term Certificate known as a Certificate (CT)

  • In the Paralegal Studies Certificate (CT), you'll gain confidence as you build foundational skills in the paralegal field. Courses cover legal writing, ethics, litigation, research, and civil procedure. 

    Apply Now   Request More Info

    Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree

    A recommended path to the associate degree in Paralegal Studies is to complete one or more of the certificates offered by Ivy Tech while working toward the degree. The certificates are designed to provide gateways toward entry-level paralegal careers, so you can begin working quickly. You may then choose to pursue a credential that requires more credits and time in order to learn more and move up in your professional career. You can apply the credits from your certificate to your higher-level credential at Ivy Tech to make the most of your time and tuition.

    Required Courses

    Graduates must complete a total of 18 credit hours.

    VIEW COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

    SEARCH UPCOMING COURSES

    Completion Guide

    A completion guide provides the recommended path to graduation, broken out by eight-week terms. 

    View Paralegal Studies CT Completion Guide

    Please consult with your advisor to determine which classes are the best option for you to take. Completion guides may vary by campus/location.

    Close

Program Details

Legal & Paralegal Studies is offered at 12 Ivy Tech locations in Indiana. Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options:

Campus Paralegal Studies CT Land Title Fundamentals TC Paralegal Studies TC Legal Studies Associate of Science (AS) Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Anderson X
Bloomington X X X
Evansville X X X X
Fort Wayne X X X
Indianapolis X X X X X
Lafayette X X X X
Lawrenceburg X X
Muncie X X X X
Richmond X X
Sellersburg X X X X
South Bend X X X X
Valparaiso X X X X

CT — Certificate (short-term); TC — Technical Certificate (long-term); WFC — Workforce Certification.

Is Legal & Paralegal Studies Right for Me?

Careers in law can be very rewarding and meaningful for those who are passionate about justice, equity, and equality. These careers can be a bit stressful and require comfort working under pressure. 

Legal studies graduates work in courts, law offices, businesses, government agencies, shelters, jails, prisons, and probation departments. They may also choose to spend their careers in the nonprofit sector. 

In addition to a deep knowledge of the law and legal terminology, these careers often require: 

  • Organization
  • Attention to detail
  • Strong communication and debate skills
  • Ability to work on a team
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Teamwork 

Sound Like You?

If you identify with the traits above, legal studies may be the path for you! Take the next step to get started or speak with your local advisor to learn more.

APPLY NOW   REQUEST MORE INFO

Tuition & Fees in the Legal & Paralegal Studies Program

The Degree Types Offered table shows tuition for each of our programs; however it is also important for students to know that there is an additional program fee of $25 per semester.

Prerequisite Courses for Legal & Paralegal Studies

Students must demonstrate competency through appropriate assessment or earning a grade of “C” or better in one of the following options:

  1. ENGL 093 - Introduction to College Writing and ENGL 083 - Reading Strategies for College
  2. ENGL 095 - Integrated Reading and Writing
  3. ENGL 075 - Co-Requisite Integrated Reading & Writing

No Expiration of Credits

There is no expiration date for course credits that were earned in previous years from Ivy Tech Community College.

Transfer Credit for Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisite courses completed at colleges other than Ivy Tech will only be considered for general education selection points if transfer credit has been awarded and courses appear on the Ivy Tech transcript prior to the application deadline.

TR grades are not recognized by the online application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that transfer credit has been awarded and that TR grades are updated to transfer letter grades (TA, TB, TC) on their Ivy Tech transcript.

It is recommended that college transcripts be submitted to the Registrar’s office for evaluation and transfer credit at least four weeks prior to the program application deadline to ensure adequate time for processing.

Legal & Paralegal Studies Courses

Descriptions of Legal & Paralegal Studies courses can be found in our online course catalog. View required classes and course descriptions for:

Upcoming Courses

See when specific courses will be offered by searching our course list in Schedule Builder. First, select the semester you’re looking for and then enter the name of the course in the search bar. 

Search for Upcoming Courses 

If you’re a current student, upcoming courses are easy to find in Schedule Builder in MyIvy.

Course Formats

Legal & Paralegal Studies courses are available via online, in-person, and hybrid formats. 

Big Dreams? Go for Honors

If you're motivated and want a more robust, personalized academic experience, consider enhancing your associate degree in Legal or Paralegal Studies by pursuing an Honors pathway. Honors courses are fully virtual with opportunities to meet and network with honors students and faculty across the state. The coursework is designed to support a student’s spirit of inquiry and intellectual growth, as well as foster multicultural awareness and leadership. View eligibility requirements

Graduating with a Legal or Paralegal Studies degree with an Honors pathway can help you stand out as a high-achieving college student, boost your resume, and help you land an acceptance letter to a top four-year college or university.

LEARN ABOUT HONORS

Applying to Ivy Tech is Free & Easy

The Ivy Tech application is free and easy—you don’t need a certain test score, GPA, or class rank to get started at Ivy Tech. Applying takes about 10-15 minutes and can be completed entirely online.

No Application Deadlines

Ivy Tech does not have a deadline for admission. Our 8-week class sessions start throughout the year—in January, March, June, August, and October—and there is no hard deadline for applying for any of the start dates. It's important, though, to apply early enough that you'll be able to complete all the degree planning, financial aid, and registration activities that need to happen before your first day. We recommend you apply about one month before you intend to start classes. See upcoming start dates

Steps to Apply

(1) Apply to Ivy Tech

If you’ve never applied to Ivy Tech Community College before (or if it’s been two years since you last attended classes here), your first step is to apply to Ivy Tech. You can apply online or in person. To apply in person, reach out to your local admissions team and arrange a meeting. Or, stop by any campus on any Tuesday for Tuesdays@TheTech to receive personal assistance with applying and registering for classes.

Apply Now

(2) Submit Assessment Documents

After you submit your application, you'll be asked to upload documentation—such as SAT/ACT/PSAT scores or high school and college transcripts—that can assess your readiness for college-level coursework and help us make sure you are taking classes that are the right fit for you. How to upload assessment documents

If you don't have your scores or transcripts at your fingertips, don’t worry. Go ahead and submit your application. You can go back to upload assessment documents at any time until the end of the term for which you applied.

(3) Look for a Confirmation Email

Once your application is processed, you will receive a confirmation email at the email address provided on your application. Typically the email will arrive within 1-2 business days of submission, but during peak processing periods (April-June) could take up to 5-10 business days.

The email will contain instructions on how to register for classes, as well as important information regarding your Ivy Tech student portal (MyIvy account), tuition, payment options, and more.

(4) Create an Account in MyIvy

MyIvy is Ivy Tech's online student portal. Students use MyIvy to check e-mail, register for classes, pay tuition, manage financial aid, get the latest news and announcements, and much more. MyIvy also contains "QuickLinks" to the Ivy Tech websites and online tools you will use most often. Learn more about MyIvy

For first-time user instructions and other MyIvy tips: View/Print MyIvy Help Sheet

(5) Course Placement

Before you can register for classes you will need to submit documentation or complete an assessment test. Your test scores can help us determine the best English and math starting classes for you. See the Test Score Course Placement Chart

If you submitted assessment documentation during the application process, your advisor will likely be able to work with those documents to determine course placement and you won't need to take any further steps. If you don't have any of those documents or the scores don't meet minimum thresholds, don’t worry! Your advisor will direct you to complete our free Knowledge Assessment to help develop your customized learning path to better prepare you for courses. 

(6) Register for Classes

Once you have completed the steps above, you may register for classes. Ivy Tech students register for courses using the Schedule Builder tool which can be accessed within MyIvy. If you are a new, first-time Ivy Tech student, we recommend that you meet with your advisor who will help you develop your Academic Completion Plan and help you sign up for courses that are the best fit for you.

For a complete list of registration steps, including detailed registration steps, deadlines, and information about holds, withdrawals, waitlists, and refunds, visit our Registration 101 page.

(7) Pay Your Tuition

After registering for your courses, your bill can be viewed in your MyIvy account > Student Dashboard- > View/Pay Balance. Payments can also be made in your MyIvy account. For complete information about payments, including payment options, payment plans, how to make immediate payments, due dates, information about refunds, and more, visit our Payments page.

Local Program Contacts & Info

Distance Education Only

Chelsea Rood-Emmick MSW, LSWDepartment Chair, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Legal and Paralegal StudiesAssociate Professor of Human Services(812) 330-6206crood1@ivytech.edu

For more information, contact:

William "Bart" McQuitty
Department Chair - School of Public Affairs and Social Services
(317) 916-6313
wmcquitty@ivytech.edu

Chris Kiefer
Dean, School of Business, Logistics & Supply Chain; School of Public Affairs & Social Services; School of Information Technology
812-429-1449
ckiefer@ivytech.edu

Antonette Payne
Assistant Professor
Paralegal Studies Program Chair 
apayne142@ivytech.edu
260-482-9171, ext. 2521

Autumn McNichols, Program Chair, Social & Behavioral Sciences; Public Affairs & Social Services

amcnichols@ivytech.edu

317-921-4300 Ext. 084381

Questions? We're Here to Help.

Lara B. O’Dell, J.D.
Program Chair
2535 N. Capitol Avenue, IFC 509
Indianapolis, IN 46208
lodell3@ivytech.edu
317-921-4443

Antonette Payne
Assistant Professor
Paralegal Studies Program Chair 
apayne142@ivytech.edu
260-482-9171, ext. 2521

Questions? We're Here to Help.

John T. Roach, J.D.
Department Chair
jroach71@ivytech.edu
765-269-5441

For more information, contact:

Katherine Watkins
Department Chair
812 537 4010 ext. 5312
kwatkins@ivytech.edu

Questions? We're Here to Help.

Marcia M. Ziegler, Esq.
Program Chair & Professor
Ivy Tech Community College
8204 Highway 311
Sellersburg, IN 47172
812-246-3301, ext. 4721

Questions about the Program or Enrolling?

Andrew Criswell, M.S.C.J
adjunct faculty - CRIM

Find Local Admissions Contact Info

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

765-643-7133
askanderson@ivytech.edu

Fax: 765-648-2755

Questions About the Program?

Future Students

If you’re not yet an Ivy Tech student, contact us at 1-888-489-5463 and we’ll be happy to help.

Current Students

Contact your academic advisor, who can answer any questions you have about the Legal & Paralegal Studies program and your certificate and degree options.

Find Local Advising Contact Info

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

765-643-7133
askanderson@ivytech.edu

24 hours a day, 7 days a week (se habla español)

Live Chat

  • 1 Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage estimates: Indiana.(2023). Lightcast™, lightcast.io. Occupational Overview for Indiana, 2023-2024
  • 2 Associate degree cost is determined by tuition for an in-state, full-time student. Certificate and technical certificate costs are determined by tuition for an in-state, part-time student. Additional fees may be applied. Visit the Tuition & Fees page to learn more.