Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Paralegals And Legal Assistants
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Metropolitan Community College Area and Doane College-Lincoln Grand Island and Master.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider College of Saint Mary.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider College of Saint Mary.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Doane College-Lincoln Grand Island and Master, Northeast Community College, College of Saint Mary, and Central Community College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Midland Lutheran College, College of Saint Mary, Northeast Community College, and Metropolitan Community College Area.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Midland Lutheran College, College of Saint Mary, Central Community College, and Northeast Community College.
Excellence
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at College of Saint Mary and Midland Lutheran College.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Midland Lutheran College, College of Saint Mary, and Central Community College.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
Nebraska Wesleyan University • Lincoln, NE
Studying Paralegal Studies (completion in 1997)
• 1/8/2012
"The academics and professors at my school were top notch. When I explain to the lawyers what I did in school, most are amazed at what the instructors taught us (thinking things like brief writing weren't taught outside of law school). However, my school had very poor support as career services and placement. Also, since the program was discontinued, I feel very out of place in the alumni network."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I think that the school I went to provided an excellent educational environment for all students pursuing an undergraduate degree. There were small classes, and professors were very eager to answer questions and help students who were having issues. However, since the school no longer offers a paralegal degree, a student would likely get a post-graduate paralegal certificate. Since at that point, they would have nearly as many years of schooling as a lawyer, I don't know if it would be worth it. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | Since I went to a four year university, most lawyers in the state know of the university (and some are alumni). However, as the program no longer exists, I don't think it has a reputation for the paralegal program in particular. |
| Program Quality | 9 | My school was very challenging, and the lawyers I've worked with have often commented that the things I learned in undergrad were very much like what they learned in law school. However, the program at my school was discontinued soon after I graduated. |
| Instruction | 9 | When I entered the workforce, I quickly found out that what I learned in school was often much more advanced than what graduates of other programs learned. For instance, I was able to do much more in-depth research and writing because of what I learned in school. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The program was very challenging, because of the length and content. I often spent nearly 10 hours a week at the law library, doing the research that was required to complete assignments. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | As I went to a four year university, academics were stressed much more than vocational or technical skills. My classes were much more centered around legal research and theory, compared to other programs. For instance, when I was in school, many paralegal programs required a keyboarding or word processing class. It would have been unthinkable to offer this at my school. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | When I attended, all classes were in the evenings, which was convenient for working adults. However, when I attended, there were no online classes or options. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The academics were very good. All paralegal instructors had law degrees and were currently working in the field. Although the school had no law library, we had access to the facilities of a law school less than a mile away. |
| Social Life | 2 | I went to school when I was of traditional age (18-22). As all the paralegal classes were in the evenings and attracted much older students (many over 30), I did not meet many students who were in my age range. |
| Placement Services | 2 | Career services really had no idea what paralegals did, and the jobs that were advertised through the career services office were often very entry level (receptionists, file clerks, etc.). This was very discouraging for someone with a four year degree, who had classmates being placed by career services in professional positions. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | It seemed like career services at the school I attended didn't know what paralegals did, since it was a four year university rather than a trade school. Alumni support at the program is especially poor since the program was discontinued, as there are many graduates who have left the field and no new graduates to network with. |
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