Paralegal Science

Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Science

Laptop

100% Online

Learn From Anywhere
Mortarboard

120 Credit Hours

to Graduate
Clock

Up To 90 Hours

Transfer Credit
Cost per Hour

$421

Per Credit Hour
EKU Online > Online Paralegal Degrees & Certificates > Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Science

Paralegals are Vital to the Legal Profession

Paralegals make valuable contributions to the effectiveness and productivity of the legal system. EKU’s 100% online bachelor’s degree in paralegal science prepares students to successfully enter and advance within the paralegal workforce. Students leave the program with a comprehensive understanding of the law balanced with a respected liberal arts background. Graduates enjoy broad employment and graduate/professional school opportunities.

Loading...
Benefits
ABA Approval
Minors & Certifications
Careers

Benefits of EKU Online

Focused on paralegal best practices and producing excellent student outcomes, EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through course topics such as legal research and writing, litigation, legal administration and computer applications, family law, criminal law and probate practice.

  • Accelerated 8-week terms
  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • Active job placement assistance for all graduating students —90% of graduates are employed or attending graduate or law school within six months of graduation
  • The EKU paralegal program is a respected charter member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAFPE)
  • Our expert faculty have extensive training in online education. All instructors hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Ph.D.
  • Courses begin 6 times per year
  • Reduced tuition for active duty military members and their spouses
  • Free online tutoring and career services assistance
  • Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best universities offering online degrees

Approved by the American Bar Association

The EKU Online Paralegal Program is approved by the American Bar Association and meets the guidelines set forth by the ABA. The American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Paralegals states that its purpose in approving programs is “to foster high quality paralegal education and training and the development of educational standards.”

Each ABA-approved paralegal program goes through a rigorous approval process and is subject to ongoing review by ABA representatives, including periodic on-site visits and review of detailed reports submitted by the program.  

Students who graduate from an ABA-approved course of paralegal studies are automatically qualified to sit for the Certified Kentucky Paralegal Exam.

Minors & Certifications

Select from a wide range of minors, allowing you to explore interests or make use of prior credits. Suggested minors available online for this program include:

  • Criminal Justice
  • Public Administration
  • Psychology

You can also choose from numerous undergraduate certificates in specialty areas that complement and enhance your major as you work toward your degree. Suggested online certificates for Paralegal Studies include:

  • Communication in the Workplace
  • Social Intelligence & Leadership
  • Dispute Resolution

View the full list of certificates available for completion as you earn your degree

Career Opportunities

Paralegal careers are fast-paced and challenging. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics* (BLS) estimates that the number of individuals employed as paralegals and legal assistants will rise 12 percent through 2028, much faster than average for all occupations.

The Eastern Kentucky University paralegal program is one of approximately 260 ABA-approved paralegal programs (out of over 1,000 paralegal programs overall) in the United States. The ABA requires ABA-approved programs to go through a rigorous review process, ensuring that the programs meet the ABA’s stringent requirements for program quality.

This occupation attracts many applicants and competition for paralegal jobs is strong. Those with a degree or post-baccalaureate certificate from ABA-approved institutions, like Eastern Kentucky University, will have the best job prospects. According to BLS the median paralegal salary in 2018 was $50,940 per year or $24.49 per hour.

Learn More

Curriculum

EKU’s online paralegal programs focus on best practices and producing excellent student outcomes.

Note: The paralegal program is a 100% online program. A minimum of 9 semester credit hours of legal specialty coursework are completed through synchronous online instruction.

The laws of Kentucky and other states prohibit paralegals from engaging in the practice of law or providing legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. Therefore, completion of a major, minor, or certificate in Paralegal Studies/Sciences does not entitle one to practice law, provide legal services directly to the public, or render legal advice, except as provided by law.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 120 credits are required to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, including 42 upper-division credits.

View the paralegal studies program degree requirements:

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Transfer Credits

EKU Paralegal Program Transfer Policy

General education, free electives, and other courses fulfilling university graduation requirements will be accepted for transfer at EKU following the policies and procedures set forth in the Transfer Student Information section of the EKU Undergraduate Catalog.

Transfer of paralegal specialty (LAS) courses follow the same policies and procedures as all other courses and will be subject to the following additional program-specific policies and procedures:

Only paralegal courses taken at ABA-approved paralegal programs will be eligible for transfer as a paralegal specialty course at EKU. The transferred paralegal specialty course must be substantially the same course in content and learning outcomes as the equivalent paralegal specialty course at EKU. The paralegal program director will review each request for transfer, confirm ABA approval of the paralegal program at the time of course enrollment, and compare the prior course description to determine if the course meets the transfer criteria. The paralegal program director reserves the right to request that the student seeking transfer of such courses provide course syllabi, assignments, or other information to confirm course content and/or ABA approval. The program does not grant course credit by portfolio or examination.

Transfer students must take a minimum of 15 semester hours of paralegal (LAS) courses at EKU to earn a paralegal degree, minor, or certificate.

Paralegal majors, minors, and certificates must take a minimum of nine semester credits of paralegal specialty courses from major/minor requirements in a synchronous format. This includes traditional in-person instruction or Skype-like technology in which all students and instructors can interactive in real-time. No courses taken in an asynchronous online or web-based format can count towards this nine semester credit requirement. Transfer students may be asked to provide evidence that courses were taken in a synchronous format to qualify for transfer.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to EKU for appropriate articulation. Learn more about transferring to EKU.

Sample Courses

For a full list of course descriptions please see section 7 of the University undergraduate catalog.

LAS 330 – Family Law Practice (3)
Paralegal practice in family law including forms, documents, and procedures for: marriage, divorce, separation, annulment, alimony, legitimacy of children, custody, adoption, community property, and juvenile law.

LAS 340 – Criminal Law Practice and Procedure (3)
An introduction to criminal law and procedure; criminal law forms and documents, and preparation for criminal litigation using the systems approach.

LAS 350 – Litigation: Evidence to Discovery (3)
Study of legal principles and paralegal practice in substantive civil law. Incorporates procedural aspects of the early stages of civil litigation including evidence and investigation, pleadings, and the discovery/disclosure process.

LAS 385 – Legal Administration and Computer Applications (3)
The study of law office administration and the utilization of specific law office computer applications.

Enrollment

Laquanda Miller

Laquanda Miller

Enrollment Advisor

Call or email Enrollment Advisor Laquanda Miller for information about the EKU Online Paralegal Studies program.

Contact Info:
859-622-9959
Laquanda.Miller@eku.edu

Application Deadlines

 

Term Application Deadline Classes Begin
Fall A July 5 August
Fall B August 31 October
Spring A November 30 January
Spring B January 31 March
Summer A April 5 May
Summer B  May 31 June

 

Additional Contact Information

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Success

I felt that they [EKU] were really concerned about my life experience…where I had been…where I am now…and were willing to help me find a way to work with that and to integrate me back into the university.

Tony ChisholmEKU Online Paralegal Student

Online Military Students

EKU Online offers veterans and active duty military students an unparalleled online learning experience that provides accessibility, convenience and flexibility.

Special Tuition for Active Duty* Military
Eastern Kentucky University offers reduced tuition expenses to $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and $325 per credit hour for graduate courses to all service members currently serving on active duty.

“I’d like to thank the EKU College of Justice & Safety for the opportunity to complete my degree online. It’s very user-friendly, and everyone has bent over backwards to make this happen.”

– 1LT Heath Bergmann, EKU Online Graduate

Heath Bergmann
  • “I can confidently say that — as someone who doesn’t even live in the United States — EKU’s online program has been extremely accommodating and flexible. I can discuss advising appointments over email, and I can have my textbooks shipped to my address overseas.” – Sydney Garner Lewis
  • “After the birth of our first child, I knew I needed to go back and finish what I started,” said McKenzie. “I was happy that I could pick up where I left off at EKU even though I lived in a different state.” – EKU Online student and mom
  • “I chose EKU because I am a unique student with unique needs, and EKU provides an avenue for students like me to succeed.” – EKU Online Psychology student Jason Tate
EKU Online Power E Logo

Apply To EKU Online