Online Legal Studies Programs and Paralegal Education

Legal Studies Degree Overview

Delaware Law School offers a bachelor's degree and associate degree in legal studies. These fully online degree programs include paralegal courses that provide in-depth background on legal theory, legal writing, and litigation procedures, as well as elective courses that focus on specialized areas of law. Students can utilize their legal studies degree as a pre-law program or they can work towards becoming a paralegal, court interpreter, or legal assistant.

Additionally, a 100% online general paralegal certificate is offered with the option to be completed in one summer or one academic year (two semesters: fall and spring). Students can tailor their certificate through legal specialty concentrations in areas like corporate law, health law, criminal law, estate administration, and litigation.

Students who have already achieved college credits elsewhere may apply to complete their degree in Delaware Law’s Legal Studies Programs as a transfer student. Being new to campus, you will receive personalized attention from faculty and advisors to make sure that you understand each step of the transfer and course registration process.

American Bar Association (ABA) Approved Paralegal Program

With our reputation for excellence, our graduates have found fulfilling careers throughout the region and beyond. Our legal studies degree and certificate offerings are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), the leading organization for legal professionals and academic programs.

Convenient Online Paralegal Program

To provide personal and professional flexibility, Delaware Law School’s paralegal courses are fully offered online. The ABA requires students to take at least nine semester credits, or the equivalent of three paralegal courses, through synchronous instruction; we meet this requirement by offering live online zoom class sessions for several of our courses. Other courses are completed asynchronously, allowing students to complete online coursework without attending live classes.

Professional Development

Professionals who are not interested in committing to a legal studies degree program, or who want to seek additional knowledge in a particular legal area, may take up to three paralegal courses as a non-matriculated professional. Course options include: contracts, torts, ethics, legal research, and more.

Tuition and Fees

Want to learn more about tuition, fees, and other expenses for the online legal studies programs? Explore Delaware Law’s cost of attendance breakdown. Financial aid is available for qualified students.

Becoming a Paralegal

Earning a legal studies degree or certificate prepares students to become a paralegal professional or legal assistant. Our paralegal courses focus on legal research and writing, litigation processes, document preparation, and professional ethics and engage students in practice-ready skills assignments.

Paralegals enjoy exciting careers in a variety of legal settings while working under the direct supervision of attorneys. In addition to law firms, paralegals work in corporate legal departments, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and judicial environments. Paralegals with a nursing background can be found working at insurance companies, medical companies, and hospitals. Becoming a paralegal can also lay a strong foundation for attending law school.

Paralegal Defined by the ABA

It is important to note that paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law. Paralegals work under the direct supervision of attorneys. The Delaware Law School Legal Studies Programs adhere to the following definition of paralegal found in the “Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs,” American Bar Association Standing Committee on Paralegals, effective September 1, 2013, page 3.

“A legal assistant or paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training, or work experience, who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.”

Campus and Career Services

While our legal studies programs are offered in a 100% online format, our legal studies department is located on Widener University's Wilmington campus. The programs’ affiliation with Delaware Law School gives students access to a range of professional services at our Wilmington campus, including the vast resources of the Delaware Law Library. Utilizing campus resources can positively impact your coursework and overall experience, and many resources, like our library databases, can be accessed online.

Our Career Development Office is dedicated to providing excellent career advising and career development services. Each of our career counselors is a licensed attorney who will help you build a strong professional portfolio and guide you through creating a résumé, writing cover letters, networking, and establishing strong interviewing skills. For non-local students, remote sessions with career counselors are available.

Award-Winning Paralegal Education

Delaware Law School is proud to receive a listing as the only “Best in State” of Delaware - Top Bachelor's Degree Program in Paralegal Studies and Top Post-Degree Paralegal Certificate Program awards by paralegaledu.org!

Legal Studies Degree Academic Goals and Objectives

The overarching goal of Delaware Law’s paralegal courses is practical training and development of qualified individuals, fostering an understanding and appreciation of the law, and portraying ethical responsibilities under the supervision of attorneys.

Our experienced faculty and online training programs aim to enhance your ability to adapt and grow with ongoing changes in the legal environment, while reflecting on the prevailing ethical and educational standards set for paralegals to deliver competent and effective legal services to all segments of society.

Through the variety of programs offered, you can learn the skills you need to be a successful paralegal in a wide array of legal specialties. Regardless of your background and experience, Delaware Law School provides you with the opportunity to enter, or expand your reach in, an exciting paralegal career.

Apply to Delaware Law’s Legal Studies Programs

The Legal Studies Programs at Delaware Law School through Widener University are offered 100% online and flexibly scheduled to meet your needs as you work to become a paralegal or begin your path to further law education.

Begin your paralegal journey by starting your application.

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