Full- or part-time, online live or online, this program fits your life. If only the law were that flexible.
Students in courtroom
ABA
Approved Program
Fostering high quality paralegal education
Award Winning
Legal Studies Faculty
Awarded the Madison College Excellence in Team
57%
Employed
57% of our recent graduates got a job in the industry.

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Legal Studies/Paralegal
Program Number: 101101
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Law, Protective and Human Services
Delivery Method:
100% Online
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
63 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$10,646.58

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    The two-year associate degree Legal Studies/Paralegal program will prepare you for highly responsible entry-level paralegal and other legal positions. You will take courses that provide you with basic competencies, including:

    • Critical thinking
    • Problem solving
    • Oral, written, and verbal and non-verbal communication skills
    • Computer skills
    • Ethics

    The subjects you will cover in the core coursework include:

    • Ethics
    • Substantive and procedural law
    • The American legal system
    • Delivery of legal services
    • Law offices and related environments
    • The paralegal profession
    • Legal research and writing
    • Law-related computer skills
    • Legal interviewing and investigation

    You must complete at least 9 credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses in person, online live or classroom live.

    Upon completion of Madison College's Legal Studies/Paralegal program, you will be qualified for employment by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity to perform designated and substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. Please note that paralegals may not provide legal services to the public, except as permitted by law.

    Legal Studies Program Details

    The Legal Studies/Paralegal program will prepare you for a good job and with the associate degree, you can transfer to another college to earn your bachelor’s degree. Increase your earning potential with credentials that keep you moving on your own career path.

    You may complete the Legal Studies/Paralegal program by taking online and online live classes. Evening classes typically run from 5:30 to 8:20 pm. Saturday and summer classes are also offered.

    Students in the Legal Studies/Paralegal program can attend full- or part-time.

    Legal Studies/Paralegal classes may be offered at the Madison College Truax campus.

    Legal Careers

    Earning your Legal Studies/Paralegal associate degree at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as a:

    • Case Administration Specialist
    • Compliance Officer
    • Contract Administrator
    • Conveyance Examiner
    • Corporation Paralegal
    • Disability Claims Specialist
    • Law Office Manager
    • Law Office Paralegal
    • Legal Aid Office Paralegal
    • Licensing Manager
    • Plan Intake Coordinator
    • Public/Government Paralegal
    • Real Estate Paralegal
    • Trust Department Paralegal
    • Victim/Witness Advocate

    If you're interested in a career in Paralegal or related law field, you'll want to look closely at career data:

    • United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics - Paralegal

    Local Professional Organizations that offer student and professional memberships:

    Paralegal Resources

    America Bar Association Seal of Approval

    Connect With Us on Facebook

    Connect with us on Facebook to learn more about the Legal Studies/Paralegal program.

    Program News

    Madison College student Scarlett Wylde-Nunez reads her Dean's List letter as her daughter looks on.
    Madison College Student Parent Fits Paralegal Studies Into Her Busy Life
    Madison College student Scarlett Wylde-Nunez enrolled in the Paralegal program last summer to pursue her dream. As a busy mother she plans for success in her education, and recently was honored with a 4.0 GPA.
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    Prior to start of program
    First Semester
    10-110-101
    3 credits
    10-110-141
    3 credits
    10-110-173
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
    Choose one of the following two courses:
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    20-801-201
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-110-102
    3 credits
    10-110-104
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    10-809-197
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-110-105
    3 credits
    10-110-106
    3 credits
    10-110-122
    3 credits
    10-804-144
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-110-142
    3 credits
    10-809-166
    3 credits
    10-110-103
    3 credits
    10-110-168
    3 credits
    Other Program-Related Courses
    10-110-110
    3 credits
    10-110-115
    3 credits
    10-110-160
    3 credits
    10-110-171
    3 credits
    10-110-108
    3 credits
    10-110-144
    3 credits
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Application Dates

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is August 15, 2024

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is December 31, 2024

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    1. Admission Application

    The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

    2. Education Completion

    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school  transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) showing:
      • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    After Acceptance

    Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College. 

    Questions?

    Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Legal Studies/Paralegal career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Transfer Opportunities

    UW System Schools

    The terms of the B.S in Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S degrees and are admitted to the Human Services Leadership at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
    The terms of the B.S in Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S or A.A.A. degrees and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
    This program-to-program articulation agreement between UW-W and Madison College allows students to be awarded up to 60 credits toward the Legal Studies B.S. or B.A. after successful completion of the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)-Legal Studies/Paralegal at Madison College and declaring the Legal Studies major at time of admission/upon transfer to UW-W.

    Wisconsin Private Schools

    Students witn an AA, AS or AAS are Advanced Core. Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 60 credits. Students transferring prior to completion or with less than 60 credits are standard core and credits are evaluated course by course.
    Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
    Completion of an A.A.S. Degree at Madison College after 2015, and meeting admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a B.B.A degree in Technical Sales at MSOE.
    Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership

    Out-of-State Schools

    Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement.
    Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring.
    Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.
    Students who complete the Paralegal degree are guaranteed admission into Roosevelt University if they have a minimum GPA of 2.5, apply for admission, and meet Roosevelt's posted admission requirement deadlines. Up to 70 credit hours may transfer.
  • Career Outcomes

    Madison College Legal Studies/Paralegal Program graduates are prepared to:

    • Apply ethical principles in a legal environment.
    • Process legal documents.
    • Perform legal research.
    • Demonstrate professionalism as a member of a legal team.
    • Synthesize various sources into a supportive legal conclusion. .

    Madison Area Technical College offers the only ABA-approved Paralegal Program in our District.

    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      2023
      Number of Program Graduates17
      Number of Surveys Sent17
      Number of Surveys Returned8
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment7
      Percent Available for Employment87.5%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market12.5%
      Available for Employment

      2023
      Graduates Employed7
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.0%
      Employed in Related Occupation4
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation57.1%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation2
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation28.6%
      Employed - No Response1
      Percent Employed - No Response14.3%
      Seeking Employment0
      Percent Seeking Employment0.0%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      2023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.8
      Number of Satisfaction Responses8
      Very Satisfied (4)6
      Percent Very Satisfied75.0%
      Satisfied (3)2
      Percent Satisfied25.0%
      Unsatisfied (2)0
      Percent Unsatisfied0.0%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)0
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      2023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses8
      Preparation for Getting a Job
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
      Career Change
      Percent Career Change
      Improvement of Existing Skills
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
      Preparation for Further Education
      Percent Preparation for Further Education
      Personal Interest
      Percent Personal Interest
      Other
      Percent Other0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      2023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses6
      Before Enrollment1
      Percent Before Enrollment16.7%
      While Attending the College3
      Percent While Attending the College50.0%
      After Training at the College2
      Percent After Training at the College33.3%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      2023
      Number of Employment Location Responses7
      In College District5
      Percent In College District71.4%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District1
      Percent of In Wisconsin14.3%
      Outside of Wisconsin0
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown1
      Percent Location Unknown14.3%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend2023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count4
      Average Monthly Wage$3,803
      Average Hourly Wage$22.11
      Average Work Hours per Week39.3
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count
      Average Hourly Wage
      Average Work Hours per Week
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Francis Law CenterCase Manager Paralegal
      Rural InsuranceLegal Assistant
      Tracey Wood and AssociatesParalegalMiddleton
      Westmont Law Offices SCParalegal

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

Ready to get started?
Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!
Contact the School of Human and Protective Services

Madison Truax Campus
Protective Services Building, 100

1701 Pearson Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

hps@madisoncollege.edu
608.243.5400

Hours

  • Monday – Thursday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm