Paralegal Studies

Approved by the American Bar Association

Earn your paralegal degree at UAF and prepare for careers in the legal profession. Our paralegal studies degree provides hands-on, practical learning, including a 150-hour internship in which you’ll put your skills to work in a real-world setting. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to enter the workforce with little, if any, additional on-the-job training.

Our online paralegal degree program is approved by the American Bar Association, which requires that at least nine credits have synchronous class meetings. These courses use online video conferencing at times convenient to the class.

Who Is the Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies Designed For?

The paralegal studies program trains students for employment, helping to deliver legal services under the supervision of a practicing lawyer. This program will prepare you to enter the legal profession as a qualified paralegal. Currently employed paralegals seeking to update their skills will also find this program valuable.

Why Earn Your Paralegal Degree at UAF?

Engage in a variety of hands-on, experiential learning activities that will prepare you to hit the ground running from day one on the job.
Earn your paralegal associate degree in a program that's approved by the American Bar Association, guaranteeing that you'll gain the skills and training employers are looking for.
Learn from highly qualified instructors who are lawyers, judges and working paralegals.
Benefit from individual academic and personal support from faculty and advisors who are here to help you succeed.

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Degree type:

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S)
Offered as major and minor

Availability:

In-person
Hybrid
Online

Earn Your Paralegal Studies Degree Online

Example projects in the online paralegal degree program

Emphasizing experiential learning, most courses in the online paralegal associate degree program give you the opportunity to work on fictional cases or scenarios with real-world legal issues. Example activities include:

Drafting pleadings
Conducting informal investigations
Learning discovery and motion practice
Engaging in legal research and writing
Preparing for settlements or trials

You’ll also have the opportunity to earn a legal technology certificate from the National Society of Legal Technology.

Experience online education at UAF

Earn your degree online at the University of Alaska Fairbanks for in-state tuition no matter where you live. Our wide selection of online programs connect you with diverse opportunities and make use of the latest technologies to provide an engaging learning experience.

Learn more about earning your degree online at UAF

Find answers to frequently asked questions

Cost breakdown for the online associate degree in paralegal studies

The estimated cost for the online paralegal degree based on current rates is $18,390.

See what your dollars go toward on the UAF eCampus Tuition and Fees page.

Earned Badges for Online Program

QM certifications are valid for five years.

Thanks to the paralegal studies program, I have obtained the legal knowledge, analytical skills and writing skills to work in the legal field and to contribute to my community.Andrea Fields, Legal Assistant in Fairbanks

What Can You Do With a Paralegal Degree?

Paralegals are in high demand in private law offices, government agencies and legal departments of large corporations. It’s a field that offers exceptional growth potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 12 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Each state has its own unique requirements for authorization. If you are planning to seek a professional license or certificate in a state other than Alaska, please see the state listings website.

Explore Classes in the Paralegal Studies Program

Major requirements for the paralegal degree include classes in civil procedure, legal research and writing for paralegals, constitutional and family law, computers in the law office and paralegal ethics. Graduates will be prepared to work as paralegals and legal assistants who are able to perform substantive legal work under the supervision of a lawyer.

View all classes for the associate degree in paralegal studies