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)
Note: Program availability varies by location and not all program tracks are offered at each campus/location.
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.
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 four 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.
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.
Please consult with your advisor to determine which classes are the best option for you to take. Completion guides may vary by campus/location.
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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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
ENGL 093 - Introduction to College Writing andENGL 083 - Reading Strategies for College
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:
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.
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.
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 toyour 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.
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
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 freeKnowledge 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 withinMyIvy. If you are a new, first-time Ivy Tech student, we recommend that you meet withyour 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 yourMyIvy 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.
Chelsea Rood-Emmick MSW, LSW Department Chair, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Legal and Paralegal Studies Associate Professor of Human Services (812) 330-6206 crood1@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
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
Don't see a nearby Advising location?
Call 1-888-489-5463 and we'll get you started.
Madison Advising Center
590 Ivy Tech Drive
Madison, IN 47250
Fax 812-265-4028
Zoom Video Calls Available by appointment only. Call 812-256-2580, ext. 4502 to make an appointment.
Advising Team Tricia Miracle 812-265-2580 ext. 4137 tmiracle2@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 812-510-3844 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Wednesdays 9:00-1:00pm & Thursdays 2:00-5:30pm Zoom Link
Lisa Kelley 812-265-2580 ext. 4163 lkelley3@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 502-414-1597 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Tuesdays 1:30pm-5pm & Thursdays 8:30am-12pm Zoom Link
Starting Oct. 28th Tuesdays: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other days by appointment from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. **Special Saturday December 7 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1 Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage estimates: Indiana.(2022). Lightcast™, lightcast.io. Occupational Overview for Indiana, 2022-2023
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.
acriswell14@ivytech.edu
574-289-7001 ext 025363