In as little as a year, you could be working in a legal related job or know you want to go to law school.
Student in Courtroom
99%
Student Satisfaction
99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
$53k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $52,656.
12%
Job Growth
Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 12% from 2020-2030.
Legal Studies/Paralegal Post-Baccalaureate
Program Number: 311101
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Law, Protective and Human Services
Delivery Method:
100% Online
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
30 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.
Estimated Program Cost
$5,042.20
Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    The Legal Studies/Paralegal Post-Baccalaureate program will prepare you for highly responsible entry-level paralegal and other legal positions. This one-year technical diploma will provide you with basic competencies that include: 

    • 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 MATC's Legal Studies/Paralegal Post-Baccalaureate program, you will be qualified for employment by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity to perform specifically designated 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.

    Program Details

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

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

    Paralegal classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

    • Madison - Truax

    Legal Careers

    Earning your technical diploma in Madison College's Legal Studies/Paralegal Post-Baccalaureate program 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:

    Local professional organizations that offer student and professional memberships:

    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 Video

    BAA | Why Madison College Paralegal Program and Profession?
    iframe added here via JS.
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 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 first semester
    First Semester
    10-110-101
    3 credits
    10-110-102
    3 credits
    10-110-104
    3 credits
    10-110-141
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-110-105
    3 credits
    10-110-142
    3 credits
    10-110-173
    3 credits
    10-110-106
    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 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is August 15, 2025

    Spring 2026

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is December 31, 2025

    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

    An official transcript must be sent from the institution you attended and indicate completion of a bachelor’s degree. 

    In-progress students who anticipate completing their bachelor’s degree before the admit term but will not be able to provide their final transcript by the application deadline may be admitted based on anticipated graduation. Applicants must submit transcripts with 120 or more credits. 

    After submitting transcripts, monitor your To Do List for instructions on how to contact the Program Director to discuss your status in the program. This additional step must be completed by the application deadline.

    • Fall: August 15th
    • Spring: December 31

    If admitted based on an anticipated graduation, final transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree must be received by the following deadline based on the term you applied for:

    • Fall: August 31
    • Spring: January 15

    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 Post-Baccalaureate career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

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

    1. Apply ethical principles in a legal environment.
    2. Process legal documents.
    3. Perform legal research.
    4. Demonstrate professionalism as a member of a legal team.
    5. 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

      202220232024
      Number of Program Graduates192622
      Number of Surveys Sent192622
      Number of Surveys Returned151418
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment131317
      Percent Available for Employment86.7%92.9%94.4%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market13.3%7.1%5.6%
      Available for Employment

      202220232024
      Graduates Employed131016
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.0%76.9%94.1%
      Employed in Related Occupation121011
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation92.3%100.0%68.8%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation105
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation7.7%0.0%31.3%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment031
      Percent Seeking Employment0.0%23.1%5.9%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202220232024
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.93.93.8
      Number of Satisfaction Responses151418
      Very Satisfied (4)131214
      Percent Very Satisfied86.7%85.7%77.8%
      Satisfied (3)224
      Percent Satisfied13.3%14.3%22.2%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202220232024
      Number of Primary Reason Responses151418
      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%0.0%5.6%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202220232024
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses131016
      Before Enrollment205
      Percent Before Enrollment15.4%0.0%31.3%
      While Attending the College455
      Percent While Attending the College30.8%50.0%31.3%
      After Training at the College756
      Percent After Training at the College53.8%50.0%37.5%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202220232024
      Number of Employment Location Responses131016
      In College District11810
      Percent In College District84.6%80.0%62.5%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District025
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.0%20.0%31.3%
      Outside of Wisconsin201
      Percent Outside Wisconsin15.4%0.0%6.3%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202220232024
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count12109
      Average Monthly Wage$4,140$3,697$4,388
      Average Hourly Wage$24.07$21.49$25.51
      Average Work Hours per Week40.042.940.1
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count2
      Average Hourly Wage$18.00
      Average Work Hours per Week15.0
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      City of Madison Police DeptRecords Service Clerk
      Collins Law OfficeRemote ParalegalPewaukee
      Collins Law OfficeEstate Planning ParalegalWauwatosa
      Foley and LardnerLegal Assistant
      Hale Skemp Hanson Skemp & SleikLegal AssistantLa Crosse
      Office of Lawyer RegulationProgram Associate
      Quarles & BradyLegal Assistant
      Smiley Law OfficeLegal Assistant/ParalegalPortage
      Strang LawParalegalMiddleton
      Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP Law FirmParalegalMilwaukee
      Wisconsin State Public Defender's OfficePublic Defender InvestigatorPortage

      * - 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