Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies
Scottsdale, USA
Associate Degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Key Summary
About: Brighton’s Paralegal Institute offers an online Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies of 60 semester hours (including 15 semester hours general education), totaling 2700 clock hours. It adds five specialty courses to the Paralegal Diploma. Courses release sequentially; each runs eight weeks. Enrollment is open; you have up to 2 years to finish. After 10 courses you're eligible for the National Association for Legal Assistants (NALA) exam. Tuition: $10,950 or $10,450 if paid in full. Proctored exams require a webcam.
Career Outcomes: Work as a paralegal or legal assistant; also litigation support, legal secretary, court clerk roles in law firms.
The Paralegal Institute offers an opportunity for you to add a competitive edge to your pursuit of a position in the Paralegal field by offering an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies program. We also offer Paralegal Continuing Education programs that can help you keep that competitive edge as you pursue advanced career opportunities.
The Paralegal Institute offers an additional opportunity for you to add a competitive edge to your pursuit of the best available position in the Paralegal field by offering paralegal programs like the Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies.
Students must successfully complete the same courses outlined in the Paralegal Diploma program, as well as the five specialty courses of 15 credit hours. To complete the requirements for the ADPS, students are required to take 5 general education courses (or transfer credits showing completion and competence in these courses passing with a C or better). The ADPS is composed of 60 semester hours and 2700 clock hours, which include the general education courses of 15 semester hours.
Duration
We offer open enrollment within our paralegal programs, thus you may register at any time. Completion of the Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies program depends solely on the study schedule you set for yourself. We recommend that you maintain a consistent submission of lessons.The Paralegal Institute gives you up to 2 years to complete the Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies program.
Once you, as the student, successfully complete the first 10 courses outlined below, you will be eligible to sit for the National Association for Legal Assistants (NALA) Certification Exam.
Course Outline
What courses are in the Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies program?
The following courses are included in the Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies program. Courses are released one at a time to maximize learning. The Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies program has a total of 60 credit hours. Each course must be completed in 8 weeks.
Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies Core Courses
| Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LGS 100 | Paralegal Today | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 108 | Legal Research | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 208 | Legal Analysis and Writing | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 110 | Litigation and Trial Practice | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 200 | Administrative Law | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 206 | Business Organizations | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 102 | Domestic Relations | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 103 | Criminal Law | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 204 | Real Property | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 106 | Trusts, Wills and Estate Administration | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 107 | Contracts | 3 Credit Hours |
Associate Degree in Paralegal Specialty Courses
| Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LGS 301 | Torts: Personal Injury Litigation | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 207 | Bankruptcy Law | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 205 | Social Security Disability | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 202 | Environmental Law | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 201 | Immigration Law | 3 Credit Hours |
| LGS 203 | Intellectual Property | 3 Credit Hours |
Associate Degree in Paralegal General Education Courses
| Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 201 | English | 3 Credit Hours |
| COM 110 | Communication and Speech | 3 Credit Hours |
| BUS 202 | Principles of Management | 3 Credit Hours |
| MTH 101 | Principles of Mathematics | 3 Credit Hours |
| PSY 201 | Psychology | 3 Credit Hours |
Tuition & Fees
The total price for The Paralegal Institute Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies program is $10,950.
| Total Tuition | $9,000 |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Fee | $100 |
| Resource Fee | $950 |
| Total Sales Price | $10,950 |
Payment Plans
- Full Payment Plan: Pay in full for a total program price of $10,450. Save $500!
- Private Student Loan: Finance your education with low down payments and customized terms!
All academic and financial obligations to the school must be made prior to the release of final transcripts and diploma.
Financial Assistance
The programs at The Paralegal Institute@Brighton College are approved for Veterans benefits. The Paralegal Institute@Brighton College also works with many employers’ Tuition Reimbursement programs as well as various Workforce Development and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. To find out if you qualify for these programs, call our office at 1.800.354.1254 for more information.
Proctored Exams
All associate degree students are required to take two proctored exams through an online proctoring service, ProctorU, as required in specific courses. Proctored exams are open-book and only course material, course resources, and personal notes may be used. Students may not use Google or any other online search options to locate answers during proctored exams. A webcam is required to complete proctored tests. Transfer credits will be considered on a case-by-case basis and alternate courses will be established upon enrollment as warranted. For students who do not have access to a webcam, they may check with the local library, community centers, and recreational centers for availability. Active duty and deployed service members may request proctoring through a military education officer or test control officer. If necessary, a proctored exam may be done in person with a non-affiliated individual such as an administrator, librarian, counselor, or human resource personnel. In-person proctored exams require approval from the Student Services Manager prior to taking the exam.
