The Paralegal Studies degree provides a conceptual appreciation for the essential principles, doctrines, rules, and structural elements of the American legal system and the practice of law. This program provides a focused study of American court systems, constitutional law, criminal law, civil law (including torts, contract law, and family law), legal research, legal writing, discovery, and interviewing and investigating. Through the Legal Practicum, which is an unpaid internship with a practicing attorney, emphasis is also placed on a practical application of the above legal concepts in the real practice of law. This degree provides a strong basis for paralegals seeking employment in a wide variety of legal practices.
Drury University’s Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies program has once again been ranked among the best online programs in the country for its value, quality and convenience. In a national study, BestColleges.com has ranked Drury’s program No. 3 on its list of best online paralegal degrees of 2018. The ranking is a repeat recognition for Drury, which also appeared at second on BestColleges.com’s 2016 ranking of best online paralegal studies programs.
This marks the third time in the past year that Drury’s program has been recognized by college rankings companies. A consistent honoree, Drury’s paralegal degree program was also ranked third and fourth in studies by Open Education Database and TheBestSchools.org, respectively.
Drury’s Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies program is offered through the university’s Drury GO and can be completed entirely online. By providing a conceptual appreciation for the essential principles, doctrines, rules and structural elements required for the practice of law, the degree provides a strong basis for paralegals seeking employment in a wide variety of legal practices.
All three rankings websites acknowledged Drury’s program for balancing classroom learning with real-world experience. As part of their education, Drury students participate in a law practicum internship with a practicing attorney.
BestColleges.com also recognized the convenience of Drury’s program for students with jobs, familial responsibilities, or other commitments, noting that “the internship can be completed within a students’ own community, and the rest of the program uses a fully-online format with no set class times.”
Job prospects for paralegal degree seekers are promising. The paralegal profession has been growing steadily and continues to accelerate as companies seek to employ more paralegals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegal and legal assistant jobs are expected to grow by 15 percent through 2026, more than twice as fast as the average for all occupations.
Jobs in the legal support field are projected to grow 9% by the year 2028 nationally. The median annual wage is $51,410. The average wage for paralegals and legal assistants in Missouri specifically is $53,110.
An Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies prepares you for work in fields like:
To earn this degree, you will complete General Education courses plus 21 hours specific to the Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies degree.
Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 in the required LEGA courses and the two ENGL writing courses (ENGL 150 and ENGL 207) before registering for LEGA 275.