Legal Studies/Paralegal
61 Credit Associate DegreeProgram Description
The Legal Studies/Paralegal Associate Degree program prepares learners to draft and interpret legal documents; select, compile and use technical information; analyze and resolve legal procedural problems; and recognize and manage potential ethical conflicts. In addition, graduates of this program will be able to provide support and prepare attorneys for investigation and interviews.
Topics covered in this program include legal research, legal technology and law office management. This program includes a Paralegal internship where learners will practice the skills and knowledge gained in the program.
Please Note: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
Found in These Career Fields:
Approximate Program Cost
$10,895
Tuition & Fees:
$10,254
Books & Supplies: $641
Books & Supplies: $641
Starting Salary
$23,691–$51,924
Average,
according to Economic Modeling Specialists International
Financial Aid
Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).
Available
100% Online
Please note: students need to take 9 credit hours of Legal Specialty Courses through synchronous education at NTC. These courses are available remotely and on campus.
A Closer Look
Detailed Program Information
Take a deeper dive into the details of this program. This section offers information to help you evaluate whether the program fits your goals, interests, and timeline. Use it as a tool to guide your decision-making process.
Availability
Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.
* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.
Outcomes
Graduates will be able to…
Careers
Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:
Courses
The Legal Studies/Paralegal Associate Degree is a 61 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.
Transfer of legal specialty coursework credit is accepted, subject to review by the Program Coordinator for course compatibility, from another accredited paralegal program. Transfer is limited to a maximum of 12 credit hours of Legal Specialty Courses. All students need to take 9 credit hours of Legal Specialty Courses through synchronous education at NTC. These courses are available remotely and on campus.
Credit for Prior Learning Available
* College 101 (10-890-165) is not part of the program credit requirements but is a College Requirement for graduation that must be passed with a “C” or better.
View All Detailed Course Information
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence is intentionally integrated in this program to strengthen students’ ethical judgment, professionalism and career readiness. As generative AI becomes more common in legal practice, this program prepares students to navigate emerging technologies responsibly while upholding the high standards of the legal profession.
Active learning is embedded throughout as students investigate and report on real-world cases in which attorneys have misused generative AI in pleadings and other legal work, including instances involving fabricated citations or inaccurate legal analysis. Through guided research, discussion and reflection, learners examine what occurred, identify ethical violations and evaluate the professional consequences. This case-based approach requires students to apply ethical rules and professional standards to authentic legal scenarios rather than hypothetical situations.
The program is intentionally industry inspired, reflecting current and evolving practices in the legal field. Courts, bar associations and professional organizations are issuing new rules and legal opinions related to the ethical use of AI, and students engage directly with these authoritative sources. Learners also discuss appropriate and responsible ways generative AI may be used in legal support roles, aligning classroom learning with employer expectations.
AI integration is mapped to core paralegal competencies, particularly professionalism, ethical reasoning and critical thinking. Students learn to defend the principles of ethical practice while adapting to new technologies. As a result, graduates gain confidence and leave the program prepared to enter the workforce with current, employable skills grounded in ethical responsibility.
Learn more about Our Commitment to AI Integration
Transfer Information
You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.
Program Transfer
The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.
Purdue Global
University Of Maryland- Global Campus
General Transfer
All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.
View all transfer guides
Cost of Attendance
2026–2027 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance
The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student may incur while attending NTC. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College takes into consideration the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student’s cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student’s financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies. The costs displayed below are estimates based on a 16-week semester or term enrollment. Expenses such as food and housing, personal or transportation may be less based on the weeks you are enrolled.
- Full Time: 12 or more credits
- 3/4 Time: 9 to 11 credits
- 1/2 Time: 6 to 8 credits
- Less Than 1/2 Time: 1 to 5 credits
| Expense Category | Full Time | 3/4 Time | 1/2 Time | Less Than 1/2 Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees* | $2,620 | $1,965 | $1,310 | $655 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment | $732 | $549 | $366 | $183 |
| Living Expenses (Housing & Food) | $5,455 | $5,455 | $5,455 | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $1,542 | $1,542 | $1,542 | $0 |
| Transportation | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 |
| Federal Loan Fees | $43 | $43 | $43 | Not applicable |
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance | $12,342 | $11,504 | $10,666 | $2,788 |
| Expense Category | Full Time | 3/4 Time | 1/2 Time | Less Than 1/2 Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees* | $2,620 | $1,965 | $1,310 | $655 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment | $732 | $549 | $366 | $183 |
| Living Expenses (Housing & Food) | $1,612 | $1,612 | $1,612 | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $1,542 | $1,542 | $1,542 | $0 |
| Transportation | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 |
| Federal Loan Fees | $43 | $43 | $43 | Not applicable |
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance | $8,499 | $7,661 | $6,823 | $2,788 |
* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2026–2027 academic year. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board. Your tuition cost is based on your enrollment level. These will appear on your bill and account.
For more information regarding billed tuition and fees, visit our Tuition & Fees page.
Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.
Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.
NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.
-
NTC Financial Aid Office
- 715.803.1647
- financialaid@ntc.edu
Additional Information
Program Goals
The overall program goal of the Northcentral Technical College Legal Studies/Paralegal Program is to prepare learners for careers as paralegals, allowing them to work under the supervision of lawyers in a variety of legal settings.
The goals of the program are to:
- educate learners to become a valuable part of a legal team,
- provide learners with practical legal education to enhance their employability,
- educate learners on both the practical and theoretical aspects of the law,
- provide the opportunity for learners to apply their education in real world applications,
- work with the institution and the learners to expand the available pool of educated paralegals in the community, and
- help meet the goals of those desiring further education by providing courses that may be transferred to other institutions and applied toward a four-year degree.
Program Objectives
The program objectives are:
- Apply ethical principles in a legal environment.
- Process legal documents.
- Perform legal research.
- Synthesize various sources into a supportable legal conclusion.
- Demonstrate professionalism as a member of a legal team.
Licensure/Certification Information
NTC’s Paralegal Associate Degree is designed to meet education requirement for the Wisconsin Bar Association’s optional “State Bar of Wisconsin Certified Paralegal” certification program. Students should contact the Wisconsin Bar Association website for more details. However, NTC has not made a determination whether this program meets licensure/certification requirements in states other than Wisconsin. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states other than Wisconsin should contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to verify that the NTC program meets licensure or certification requirements.
Admissions Process
Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.
Fill out our application
The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.
Apply NowWhat’s Next?
We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.