Are you looking for a meaningful career that empowers you to help others? Are you passionate about justice, equity, and equality? Do you enjoy using research, writing, and analytical skills? 

If so, the Legal and Paralegal Studies program at Ivy Tech could be right for you. We offer a variety of credentials for those who are interested in the law.

Students who want to pursue the A.S. in Legal Studies are starting on the path to obtain a bachelor’s degree in a related field. For students who are interested in becoming lawyers, our A.S. degree will allow the student to transfer to a four-year college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree. Students must have a bachelor’s degree to apply to Indiana’s ABA-approved law schools.

Students who want to pursue the A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies want to be ready to work in a law firm at the conclusion of their degree as a paralegal, legal administrative assistant, or legal assistant. The title of the job may vary by law firm and by geographic area of the state. However, the job is to support attorneys in the work they do serving clients. Paralegals must work under the supervision of an attorney.

As a Legal or Paralegal Studies student at Ivy Tech, you will: 

• Establish a strong knowledge base that you can build upon as you work towards a Juris Doctorate degree. 
• Gain a solid understanding of government structures, sources of law, civil procedure, and litigation.
• Learn to conduct research and write for the legal field.
• Develop a sense of legal ethics.
• Develop skills in law office management, communication, organization, critical thinking, interviewing, and investigation. 

Note about credentials:

This program requires sitting for three Microsoft credentials in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Passiing these three exams is a requirement to get the Microsoft Office Specialist Associate Credential.