Program Length: Four semesters
Credential: Associate of Applied Science
Student-to-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
THE PROGRAM
Paralegal Technology is a two-year, fully online associate’s degree program designed to prepare individuals to perform specifically-delegated substantive legal work that is supervised by an attorney. The program provides training in a number of areas, including civil litigation, legal research and writing, family law, wills and other legal areas. After completion of this online program, an individual will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. Successful completion of the first 30 hours of this program curriculum entitles the receipt of a Career Certificate. After graduation, students have the option to transfer their associate’s degree and continue working toward their bachelor’s degree online. Most graduates interested in this option choose from this list:
- Delta State University
- Interdisciplinary Studies – Arts and Sciences (deltastate.edu)
- Mississippi State University
- Home | Bachelor of Applied Science (misstate.edu)
- Mississippi University for Women
- Interdisciplinary Studies – Department of History, Political Science, & Geography (muw.edu)
- University of North Alabama
- Interdisciplinary and Professional Studies (una.edu)
- University of Southern Mississippi
THE PROGRAM
The program provides an excellent background for entry-level positions in law firms, corporations and government agencies. Most paralegals in today’s marketplace have an associate’s degree from a two-year college or a certificate in paralegal studies. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security reports the state entry level annual wage as $30,150, and the experienced annual wage, $49,190. Projected state employment growth is 10.4 percent and the average annual job openings, 220.