Full- or part-time, online live or online, this program fits your life. If only the law were that flexible.
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ABA
Approved Program
Fostering high quality paralegal education
Award Winning
Legal Studies Faculty
Awarded the Madison College Excellence in Team
100%
Employed
100% 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:
60 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

$9,753.31

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:

    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 Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete an associates of applied science degree and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis of the Leadership and Organizational Studies at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. The terms of the Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who have complete an associates of applied science degree and have been admitted to the Human Services Leadership degree at UW O. 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 the time of admission/upon transfer to UW-W.

    Wisconsin Private Schools

    A student who completes an associate of arts, associate of science or associates of applied science is considered part of the ‘advanced core‘. The Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 64 credits of transfer. If students transfer prior to completion or with less than 64 credits they will be considered part of the standard core and credits will be evaluated on a course by course basis.
    Students will be granted admission to a bachelors degree program upon completion of an approved transfer program at Madison College. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while at Madison College. Regardless of the number of credits transferred students must complete at least 25% of their baccalaureate degree credits at Herzing University University.
    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.
    Any Madison College student who has successfully completed an associate degree in applied science after 2015, and meets admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Technical Sales at MSOE by successfully completing the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Business Administration program. --- In particular, any Madison College student who successfully completes all technical courses and general education courses in their AAS program with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; successfully completes all other specified courses, as defined in this transfer agreement, with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; and meets the MSOE admission requirements for transfer students into the BBA Program at MSOE, minimum 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from the last regionally accredited school will be admitted into the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at MSOE.
    Students who complete the paralegal program can transfer up to 60 credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership offered through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.

    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. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.
    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. Articulation agreement is for students who graduate from appropriate program and wish to pursue one of the following degrees at Capella: Bachelor of Science in Business specializations, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Public Safety specializations, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (must hold a valid RN license) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
    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 from Madison college will be guaranteed admission into Roosevelt University if they (1) have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (2) apply for admission and (3) meeting Roosevelt's posted admission requirement deadlines. Transfer students may transfer up to 70 credit hours form an accredited two-year institution.
  • 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

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates101211
      Number of Surveys Sent101211
      Number of Surveys Returned7129
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment7118
      Percent Available for Employment100.00%91.70%88.90%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market0.00%8.30%11.10%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed5107
      Percent of Graduates Employed71.40%90.90%87.50%
      Employed in Related Occupation587
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation100.00%80.00%100.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation020
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation0.00%20.00%0.00%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment211
      Percent Seeking Employment28.60%9.10%12.50%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.43.73.4
      Number of Satisfaction Responses7129
      Very Satisfied (4)585
      Percent Very Satisfied71.40%66.70%55.60%
      Satisfied (3)143
      Percent Satisfied14.30%33.30%33.30%
      Unsatisfied (2)001
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%11.10%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)100
      Percent Very Unsatisfied14.30%0.00%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses7129
      Preparation for Getting a Job245
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job28.60%33.30%55.60%
      Career Change223
      Percent Career Change28.60%16.70%33.30%
      Improvement of Existing Skills230
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills28.60%25.00%0.00%
      Preparation for Further Education131
      Percent Preparation for Further Education14.30%25.00%11.10%
      Personal Interest000
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses5107
      Before Enrollment230
      Percent Before Enrollment40.00%30.00%0.00%
      While Attending the College211
      Percent While Attending the College40.00%10.00%14.30%
      After Training at the College166
      Percent After Training at the College20.00%60.00%85.70%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses485
      In College District484
      Percent In College District100.00%100.00%80.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin001
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%0.00%20.00%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count576
      Average Monthly Wage$3,034$4,073$3,693
      Average Hourly Wage$17.64$23.68$21.47
      Average Work Hours per Week4042.140
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count11
      Average Hourly Wage$16.50$22.48
      Average Work Hours per Week2520
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Dept of Children and FamiliesExecutive Staff Assistant
      Dept of JusticeOperations Program Associate
      Lori E. WelchParalegalStatesboroGA
      QBE InsuranceParalegalSun Prairie
      Rock CountyReimbursement Case SpecialistJanesville
      Stroud, Willink & HowardParalegal

      * - 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