Paralegal Studies BA

About the Paralegal Bachelor's Degree at Loyola

Paralegals are essential to the legal field, providing valuable assistance in research, documentation, case preparation, and more to attorneys in various settings. If you are interested in exploring the legal workplace, a paralegal credential from Loyola University Chicago will prepare you for meaningful work in this exciting sector.

For those with an associate degree in paralegal studies, Loyola's BA in Paralegal Studies will help you refine your skills and earn a bachelor’s degree, which is required by most large legal employers.

ABA-approved and including an embedded Dual Litigation & Corporate Practice Certificate, our paralegal studies program opens doors to your career success in the legal community.

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as authorized by law.

Program Structure

The paralegal studies major comprises 40 credit hours towards the 120 credit hours required for a bachelor’s degree. Students can begin the program during any of the five 8-week sessions throughout the academic year (late August, mid-October, mid-January, mid-March, and June). Classes are held weekday evenings (and occasionally on Saturday mornings) online or at Loyola's Water Tower Campus, conveniently located off the Red Line in the heart of Chicago. All courses are offered online at least once per year. The paralegal degree can be pursued full-time or part-time.

Why Choose Loyola for Your Paralegal Degree?

Loyola's BA in Paralegal Studies will enhance your writing, research, and paralegal skills to expand your career opportunities.Our program allows students with an Associates in paralegal studies to gain an expeditious route to a bachelor's degree, which most large employers require for paralegal positions.

American Bar Association (ABA)-approved

Loyola’s Institute for Paralegal Studies meets rigorous academic, curricular, and professional standards set by the American Bar Association. The ABA is well recognized by attorneys and law firms and denotes superior education for paralegal careers with an emphasis on professional competence, and more.

Take courses around your schedule with in-person or online evening classes. Ranked in the top 6% of online BA programs nationwide by U.S. News and World Report (2024), you will have access to innovative and impactful virtual learning experiences. Choose from four start dates throughout the year and complete your certificate full time in as little as 10 months.

Learn from attorneys who are experts in their fields, including experience in immigration, environmental law, employment law, civil litigation, real estate, and bankruptcy.

Prepare for your paralegal career through Loyola's Institute for Paralegal Studies, which has offered ABA-approved paralegal credentials since 1991. The majority of our paralegal studies graduates (90%) gain employment in the field within six months of graduation.

Meet the Faculty

Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Continuing and Professional Studies faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Paralegal Studies BA program.

Faculty and Staff

Loyola Stories

Curriculum and Program Outcomes

While courses for the Paralegal Studies BA program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.

Additionally, this resource will provide Paralegal Studies BA learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.

2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic Catalog

Costs, Scholarships, and Aid

Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your return to school a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.

Tuition and Costs

Students in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies will likely have the ability to influence their total cost through the use of transfer credit and non-traditional credit. Please keep that in mind when reviewing the variety of estimated total cost options for the Paralegal Studies BA below.

On average, students in the Paralegal Studies BA program transfer 60 credit hours to Loyola and 11 hours of non-traditional credit. We can accept and apply up to 36 credit hours of non-traditional credit (CLEP, DSST, and American Council on Education).

Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.

Credit HoursCost Per Credit HourEstimated Total Tuition and Fees
45 (Minimum number of credit hours completed at Loyola.)$790.00$35,550.00
71 (Average number of credit hours completed at Loyola.)$790.00$56,090.00
120 (Maximum number of credit hours completed at Loyola. Please note that this number does not include any potential transfer credit or non-traditional credit.)$790.00$94,800.00

For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.

Paralegal Studies BA Scholarships

Degree-seeking students in the School of Continuing & Professional Studies (SCPS) who have completed the scholarship application will be considered for the many scholarship opportunities available to students each semester.

Achieve the Degree Scholarships include both merit and need-based scholarships. Newly-admitted undergraduate degree-seeking students can expect to receive $2,000 in their first semester while awards for current students range from $1,100 to $3,000 per semester.

Students receiving tuition reimbursement from their employer should also consider seeking admission to the SCPS Fellow Scholarship program that will match up to $5,250 per academic year the reimbursement total you're eligible to receive from your employer.

For detailed information about tuition, costs, and aid, please visit the SCPS Tuition & Financial Aid page.

Appointments and Events

Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.

Schedule an Appointment

The School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.

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Upcoming Events

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04
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Dec
03
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Visit and Connect With Us

With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.

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Application Process

Application Deadlines

The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Paralegal Studies BA are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.

Fall I: August 5
Fall II: Oct 5
Spring I: Dec 21
Summer:
May 20

Application Requirements

Application requirements for the Paralegal Studies BA include:

  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended

  • 2.0 Minimum GPA

Official Documents

Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.

International Applicant Requirements

An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.

Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.

International Applicant Requirements
Start Your Application

Applying online to the Paralegal Studies BA program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.

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