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The University of Toledo offers one of the premier Paralegal Studies programs in the country and is approved by the ABA.

Paralegals support attorneys in their work. They research cases, prepare legal briefs and even interview clients and witnesses. Paralegals work in private law firms, corporate law departments, non-profits and government agencies.

The Legal & Paralegal Studies Program is offered for paralegal education and provides coursework and practical experiences designed to develop the knowledge and communication skills necessary for contribution to the legal profession. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as provided by law. Students must take at least 9 semester credits of legal specialty courses through synchronous delivery (i.e., either through traditional face to face classroom instruction or interactive video technology instruction).

Paralegal studies offers a pathway to a legal career and is an outstanding pre-law track.

Top Reasons to Study Legal and Paralegal Studies at UToledo

Distinguished paralegal program. UToledo’s program is ABA-approved. Only about 20% of U.S. paralegal programs earn that distinction, which many employers prefer. We also have been designated a national demonstration program and have been ranked in the 25 Best Bachelor's in Paralegal Degree Programs for 2020.
Outstanding pre-law track. 93% of UToledo paralegal studies graduates who go to law school pass the bar exam on their first attempts — a considerably higher rate than the state average. Students do better in law school if they have an understanding of the legal system and good communication, logic and analytical skills. UToledo’s paralegal studies program helps students master all of these skills.
Law school guarantee. Graduates of UToledo’s paralegal studies bachelor’s degree program who have GPAs of 3.5 or better and score in the top 50 percent on the LSAT are guaranteed admission to The University of Toledo College of Law.
A one-of-a-kind courtroom/classroom. UToledo is one of the only paralegal programs in the country with its own teaching courtroom. This state-of-the-art facility offers hands-on training in courtroom technology and includes:

Laptops loaded with litigation, law practice management and other software
Flat-screen monitors in the jury box, counsel tables, witness stand and bench
A classroom integrated audio-video system capable of providing live lectures for remote students, video conferencing, and recorded lectures
Digital content provisions for a more immersive court experience or teaching environment
Autonomous camera providing unmanned video tracking of lecturers

Experiential learning

Unique criminal forensics and trial practice class. This popular, hands-on course is the first of its kind in the country. The class is a collaboration between paralegal studies and UToledo’s criminal justice program. Students are placed on prosecution and defense teams and assigned as crime scene investigators, paralegals and attorneys. They investigate a homicide and conduct a jury trial.

Career Opportunities

Paralegal jobs are growing faster than the national average for other careers. UToledo paralegal studies students learn the strong technology and database management skills employers seek.

Nearly all of our students go on to professional or graduate schools, or take jobs in private law firms, corporations, non-profits and government agencies.

Paralegal studies graduates also are well prepared for alternate careers that include law enforcement, politics, compliance, human resources and others.