Paralegal Studies

You don’t have to be a lawyer to make an impact in the legal world.

Does the legal world fascinate you? If you’re interested in a career in law but you don’t want to attend years of law school to become an attorney, an associate degree in paralegal studies could be your perfect option! An online associate degree takes less time to complete than a bachelor’s degree, offers you the flexibility to fit coursework around your busy schedule, and prepares you to pursue law-related careers. Curriculum covers a wide range of essential topics, including legal research, understanding legal documents, and general education courses. Ready to work alongside lawyers as a legal assistant or legal support worker? Then this is the online associate degree paralegal studies program for you.

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

$56,230

Average Salary

14%

Industry Growth

16:1

Student-to-Faculty ratio

96%

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Anchor: Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies

When you pursue an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies online at University of Cumberlands, you’ll work with experienced faculty who will teach you paralegal courses online and help you explore every aspect of this exciting field of study, providing the tools you need to be successful in entry-level legal work. You’ll develop important professional skills that will help you thrive in any industry and every career path, from the ability to communicate in group settings to thinking critically. Get the expertise you need to succeed with courses in national government, legal writing, understanding legal documents, judicial procedure, criminal justice, legal terminology, and more.

Classes for the online paralegal degree are designed to give you a full view of the many areas where you can put your degree to use. An AA degree in paralegal studies is the perfect foundation to pursue a career path in any number of legal settings—law offices, corporate legal departments, the court system, and more! You can learn more about the salary potential and growth for paralegal careers at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website. You can also create long-term plans for your education and career by researching the American Bar Association, which can be a great resource and networking opportunity for legal and law-related professionals.

As part of University of the Cumberlands' associate degree requirements, each student must complete at least 61 semester hours, including those within the major and the coursework required to fulfill the online Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies requirements.

Course Requirements

Required Courses (24 hours)

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission and Goals

Develop your knowledge of legal terminology and practices.

Build a strong foundation of professional skills that are useful in law – and in any field.

Strengthen your reading comprehension, writing, and critical-thinking skills.

Understand necessary information about American history and the criminal justice system.

Complete your degree quickly while still becoming equipped for a successful career.

Anchor: Career Outcomes

Paralegal Careers & Outcomes

Paralegal: $56,230

Paralegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers.

Title Examiner: $46,261

Examine and report on legal documents from real estate and tax records to maps and marriage licenses.

Legal Assistant: $60,712

Assist lawyers and other legal professionals by managing and organizing documents, collecting and analyzing data, assist with scheduling, draft records, and performing other administrative duties.

Law Associate: $84,733

Work with and provide advice to clients, research cases, assist attorneys, and gain experience at a law firm.

Litigation Paralegal: $64,325

Work under attorneys in criminal and civil litigation and help with case management.

Abstractor: $42,587

Evaluate and analyze documents that have to do with property, land, and homes.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

What can I do with a paralegal associate degree?

Your associate degree in paralegal studies from Cumberlands can help you start your journey on any number of career paths in the legal world, including working as a paralegal or legal assistant. You’ll also be qualified for other jobs in the field, such as abstractor, corporate law assistant, legal support associate, paralegal specialist, and more. See our list of career outcomes for more details.

What if I decide not to work at a law firm? Will this degree still benefit me?

Yes! Even if you pursue a career in a different field, with the solid foundation of critical thinking, research, and communication skills this education provides, you’ll be well prepared to pursue a variety of professional careers—from front-line sales to back-office management.

What skills do I need to be a good paralegal?

Some important skills for those who want to work in law are attention to detail, multitasking, observational skills, solid communication skills, the ability to work with others, organizational skills, and a willingness to learn. If some of these aren’t your forte right now, don’t worry – we'll teach you everything you need!

What is the difference between a paralegal and a lawyer?

While lawyers are licensed to represent clients and be directly responsible for cases, paralegals are not. The responsibilities of a paralegal are more focused on assisting the lawyer. They don’t work directly on cases, but they often help with preparing documents, doing legal research, and communicating with clients. Additionally, there is no license required to become a paralegal, and it requires less time spent in school, which means an AA (Associate of Arts) in paralegal studies is all you need to qualify!

What is the difference between a paralegal associate degree and a paralegal certificate?

Both a paralegal associate degree program and a certificate program take less time to complete than a bachelor’s degree program, and both can help you pursue career opportunities in the legal field. Credits obtained from a certification program, however, aren’t as easily transferable to other programs as those that come with an associate degree. Therefore, if you think you may want to pursue further education down the road (like a bachelor’s degree), it may make more sense for you to get your associate degree in paralegal studies rather than a paralegal certificate.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Paralegal Studies

Dr. John D. Wineland

Adjunct Professor

History

Dr. John D. Wineland

Contact Information

john.wineland [at] ucumberlands.edu

Remote

Catherine Ball, JD

Assistant Professor

History

Catherine Ball, JD

Contact Information

606.539.4301

catherine.ball [at] ucumberlands.edu

Bennett Building

Dr. Michael Spurlock

Adjunct Professor

History

Dr. Michael Spurlock

Contact Information

404-769-3531

michael.spurlock [at] ucumberlands.edu

Remote

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Paralegal Studies

Types

Location

Credits

Cost

You don’t have to be a lawyer to make an impact in the legal world.

By the Numbers

$56,230

14%

16:1

96%

Programs & Requirements

Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies

Course Requirements

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Mission and Goals