If you want to start a non-lawyer career in the legal field, the paralegal profession is worth exploring.
Before being ready to assist lawyers with a variety of tasks, paralegals need to complete an Associate of Applied Science program in Paralegal Studies or earn a Degree in a different field and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
The programs prepare students for tasks such as:
- Maintaining and organizing files
- Conducting legal research
- Drafting documents
- Investigating and gathering facts relevant to a case
- Getting affidavits and other formal statements that can be used as evidence in court
- Helping lawyers during trials
- And more
Most programs are designed to be completed in just a few months and prepare students for entry-level employment in the field.
To help you choose the format that best meets your needs, on this page, we have compiled information about the best Paralegal schools in Arkansas.
1SeArk College
About the School
SeArk College helps students train for a successful career or prepare them for transfer to another institution.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The college provides a variety of courses online, including:
- The Judicial Process- a three-credit course that provides an analysis and evaluation of the main institutions and considerations affecting the administration of justice in the United States.
- Constitutional Law- a three-credit course that studies constitutional law with an emphasis on the criminal aspects of this law
- Criminal Law- a course that covers the history and philosophy of modern criminal law, including structure, definition, leading case law, and procedures, elements of crime, and other related topics
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1900 Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71603
- Phone: 870-543-5900
- Website: https://www.seark.edu
2University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech
About the School
The University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech provides training programs for students who are beginning college, for those transferring to a four-year program, and for students who want to go straight to the workforce.
The university provides 80 accredited programs with classes available in the daytime, evening, and online.
Courses Offered
A Paralegal Technology program is available at the university and is designed to provide an understanding of the law and the practical skills needed when assisting attorneys in the responsibilities of a law firm, including research, investigation, document preparation, and writing.
The instruction covers topics such as principles and practical experience in word processing, legal writing, ethical legal practice, professional responsibility, and organizing legal ideas and factual materials.
The following programs of study are available:
- Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Technology
- Technical Certificate in Paralegal Technology
- Certificate of Proficiency in Paralegal Technology
The Associate of Applied Science program includes classes such as:
- Microcomputer Applications
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Legal Terminology
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Constitutional Law
- Civil Litigation
- Commercial Law
- Wills, Trust, and Probate
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3000 West Scenic Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118
- Phone: (501) 812-2200
- Website: https://uaptc.edu
3Northwest Arkansas Community College
About the School
Northwest Arkansas Community College provides degrees and certificates that prepare students for careers in a variety of fields.
The college provides quality and affordable higher education programs.
A wide range of certificates and associate degrees are available in business, computer science, art, communications, culinary, nursing, engineering, construction, criminal justice, and more.
Courses Offered
The college provides an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies program.
This program includes the following paralegal course requirements:
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Research
- Torts
- Contracts
- Legal Writing
- Family Law
- Civil Litigation
- Real Estate Law
- Wills, Trusts & Probates
- Business Organization
- Computers in the Law
Contact Information
- Address: One College Drive, Bentonville, AR 72712
- Phone: 479.986.4000
- Website: https://www.nwacc.edu
4The University of Memphis
The University of Memphis offers a variety of law-related programs through its Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.
Courses Offered
The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law offers a variety of degree and certificate programs, including:
- Certificate in Advocacy
- Certificate in Business Law
- Certificate in Health Law
- Certificate in Tax Law
- And more
The certificate programs are designed to provide law students enrolled at the university with specialized and focused study and increased marketability in their fields.
For example, the Certificate in Advocacy program aims to enable students who are interested in a career in litigation or the study of advocacy to follow a specialized course of study.
Contact Information
- Address: Memphis, TN 38152
- Phone: 901.678.2000
- Website: https://www.memphis.edu
5San Francisco State University
Online programs that allow you to complete the curriculum from anywhere are also available at universities in other states across the nation.
About the School
San Francisco State University provides a Paralegal Studies online certificate program since 1975.
The program is approved by the American Bar Association and covers a rigorous curriculum, synchronous online courses, a professional network, and other features designed to prepare students for successful careers as paralegals.
Students can begin their careers in just one year.
The program provides learners with hands-on training and experience with case management, e-discovery, trial software, and an insight into common paralegal tasks.
The program costs $8,990 and can be completed in as little as three semesters.
Students take five three-unit courses designed to develop skills on:
- Interviewing clients
- Performing legal research
- Gathering and analyzing other legal documents
- Drafting internal memoranda, correspondence, and legal forms
- Drafting a variety of litigation-related documents
- Assisting in the preparation of cases for trial
- And many other tasks
Contact Information
- Address: 160 Spear Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, California 94105
- Phone: (415) 405-7700
- Website: https://cpage.sfsu.edu
6Liberty University
An online paralegal program is also available at Liberty University- a university located in Lynchburg, Virginia.
About the School
Liberty University is an accredited Christian college with a 7,000-acre campus.
A variety of programs are available at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels and are taught from a Christian perspective.
The programs are offered fully online.
Courses Offered
The Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies program available at Liberty University provides students with the experience and practical skills that make students marketable while they pursue a Bachelor’s degree.
The program prepares students with a foundational knowledge of criminal law and procedures, writing depositions, and real estate transactions, and in-demand skills such as performing title searches.
The program includes 60 credit hours and can be completed in one and a half years on average.
Contact Information
- Address: 1971 University Blvd., Lynchburg, Virginia 24515
- Phone: (888) 376-3157
- Website: https://www.liberty.edu
7Community College of Denver
About the School
Community College of Denver (CCD) provides several paralegal programs that prepare students for a career in an exciting and expanding field.
Courses Offered
The following paralegal programs are available at CCD:
- Paralegal Transfer- a program available in the classroom, hybrid, or fully online
- Paralegal- a program offered in the classroom, a hybrid or fully online
- General Paralegal- offered in the classroom, hybrid or fully online
- Licensed Legal Paraprofessional- a fully online program
The program offered at Community College of Denver provides students with the ability to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science, emphasis in Paralegal, and start working immediately or transfer to a four-year college or university.
The paralegal curriculum includes courses and electives on topics such as:
- Constitutional Law
- Legal Writing
- Torts
- Family Law
- Contracts
- Property Law
- Administrative Law
- Criminal Law
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: King Center, Room 594, 855 Lawrence Way, Denver, CO 80204
- Phone: 303.556.2487
- Website: https://www.ccd.edu
8South Florida International College
Online programs are also available in Florida.
One such program is the one offered by the South Florida International College.
South Florida International College provides a series of programs designed to train competent professionals in different career paths.
Courses Offered
Among many other paths, the college provides an associate degree program in Paralegal Studies that is available in English and Spanish.
After completing this program, students have the required education and training to become paralegals in a variety of settings.
Students learn how to draft basic legal documents such as complaints, responses, and contracts, interview clients, conduct independent research on legal issues, how to draft legal memoranda, and perform a wide range of other tasks in a legal office.
The program is available in two formats: online and hybrid.
Applicants need:
- High school Diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Official transcripts
- Statement of student’s professional goals
- TOEFL scores for foreign students who are registering for programs taught in English.
Contact Information
- Address: 9000 NW 25th St, Doral, FL 33172
- Phone: 855 457 7738
- Website: https://sficollege.com
9University of South Florida
About the School
The University of South Florida provides a variety of undergraduate majors and certificate programs.
The University of South Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.
Courses Offered
The university provides a Paralegal Certificate through its Corporate Training and Professional Education division.
The program is designed for paralegals by paralegals, attorneys, and judges across the country.
The hands-on curriculum focuses on the real-world skill set that is required by law firms, legal divisions, attorneys, corporations, and government agencies.
Students learn about legal processes, court structure, interviewing, investigation, document preparation, file maintenance, correspondence, research, writing, and analysis.
The curriculum also covers torts, contracts, and civil procedure.
Students have individual subscriptions to Lexis and Westlaw for the online legal research training part.
The following formats are available:
- Self Pace- an online format that allows students to learn at their own pace.
- Live Online | Virtual Classroom- classes are offered via live online sessions.
This program costs $4,995
Contact Information
- Address: 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
- Phone: 813-974-2011
- Website: https://www.usf.edu
10Arizona State University
About the School
Arizona State University offers a wide range of programs that allow students to earn a degree on their schedule from anywhere in the world.
More than 300 online degrees and certificates are available at the university.
Courses Offered
The following law, criminal justice, and public policy degrees are included in the university’s catalog:
- Tourism and Recreation Management
- Justice Studies
- Business- Law
- Political Science
- Sports Law and Business
- Social Work
- Legal Studies
- And more
The Master of Legal Studies provided at Arizona State University is an advanced degree designed for students who are interested in understanding law, but not practicing it.
The program helps students build a foundation in U.S. law before they choose the electives that support their career goals.
Ten classes are available in total.
The program includes 30 credit hours in total.
Students take courses on:
- U.S. Law and Legal Analysis
- Administrative Agencies and Regulations
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Fundamentals of Contract Law
- Intellectual Property
- Property
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Phone: 855.278.5080
- Website: https://asuonline.asu.edu
Regional Salary in Arkansas
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 310 | $76,160 | $36.61 | $89,050 | $33,460 |
Fort Smith, AR-OK | 100 | $58,370 | $28.06 | $68,000 | $35,730 |
Jonesboro, AR | 50 | $57,870 | $27.82 | $62,260 | $34,080 |
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 710 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Arkansas provides a variety of training programs designed to prepare students for careers in the legal field.
If you want to become a paralegal, we encourage you to use our list as a starting point in finding the training program that best meets your needs.