Paralegal Schools in Arkansas
This guide to paralegal schools in Arkansas provides key information on the schools and programs available in the state for those interested in pursuing an education in the paralegal/legal assistant field. Several paralegal programs are available in Arkansas that may fit your skills and career interests. As an alternative to an on-campus program, you may wish to consider an online paralegal degree, which may provide greater flexibility for students with work and other commitments. Be sure to visit our guide to paralegal careers in Arkansas to find out more about job opportunities for paralegals in the state.
Quick Facts
- There are 4 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in Arkansas.1
- 2 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 2 schools offer an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 1 school offers a bachelor’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- No schools offer a master’s or advanced degree for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- No schools ranked in Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs.2
- 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools in 2022.3
- 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs in 2022.4
- 1 ABA-approved paralegal degree program is in Arkansas.5
For not-for-profit colleges and universities with paralegal/legal assistant degree programs.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of Paralegal Programs
- Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs in Arkansas
- Select Schools in Arkansas with Paralegal Degrees
Comparison of Paralegal Programs
The table below will help you compare not-for-profit paralegal and legal studies programs in Arkansas based on various factors. The table includes paralegal program-specific information such as the programs offered and whether there are any online options. It also includes general school information to help you compare the colleges and universities that host these programs, including overall acceptance rate, graduation rate for first-time bachelor’s degree seekers, median debt for graduates, and net tuition per year for full-time undergraduate study. We have also included information on approval by the American Bar Association (ABA). While ABA approval is not required in order to work as a paralegal, it is a mark of program quality that is preferred by many employers.
| School | ABA Approved? | Paralegal Degree(s) | Acceptance Rate6 | Grad Rate1 | Online Options? | Median Debt7 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NorthWest Arkansas Community College (Bentonville) | Yes | AAS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 27% | — | $5,250 | $6,079 |
| University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) | — | Certificate-Business Law; Certificate-Criminal Law; Minor-Legal Studies | 77% | 68% | Yes | $14,181 | $16,759 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock (Little Rock) | — | BA-Political Science: Law; Minor-Legal Studies | 66% | 42% | — | $12,375 | $12,235 |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College (North Little Rock) | — | Certificate-Paralegal Technology; AAS-Paralegal Technology | 100% | 24% | — | $9,000 | $12,746 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs
US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools 2022
- University of Arkansas-Fayetteville (#96 tie)
- University of Arkansas-Little Rock (#141 tie)
US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs 2022
- University of Arkansas-Little Rock (#25 tie)
- University of Arkansas-Fayetteville (#35 tie)
Select Schools in Arkansas with Paralegal Degrees
Traditional Programs
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
The NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies is approved by the ABA and offers a program that balances broad-based instruction in the legal field with comprehensive technical knowledge. The four-semester program provides thorough paralegal training through law classes such as Torts and Contracts as well as courses in practical skills like Computers in the Law and Legal Research. In addition to traditional coursework, students have the opportunity to pursue an internship to gain experience in a professional setting. In order to graduate, students must maintain a “C” or better in all Paralegal courses. Graduates of the Paralegal Studies program will be prepared for employment as paralegals in organizations such as law firms, courts, real estate companies, and government agencies. Transfer students may carry over up to 12 credits of legal courses from another school, pending approval by NWACC.
University of Arkansas-Little Rock
Undergraduate students at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock (UALR) can pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science with a Concentration in Law that requires four years to complete and offers courses in politics, history, and empirical analysis in addition to legal courses. Of the 120 credits needed for the BA degree, students will take 39 credits of classes in political science: 24 of those are in politics and 15 are for the Law concentration. Legal courses cover subjects such as constitutional law, rhetoric, the legal system, and logic. Students are required to take a field experience course that can take a variety of forms, such as an internship, a study abroad program, or any class with a service-learning component. UALR also offers an 18-credit hour Minor in Legal Studies that incorporates coursework from disciplines such as rhetoric, criminal justice, marketing, philosophy, and political science. However, no more than nine hours may be taken in any one of these disciplines.
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College
The University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College (UAPTC) offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Technology. This 61-credit hour combines general education and paralegal courses beginning in the first semester. Students practice practical skills like research, investigation, interviewing, drafting documents, and legal writing. Courses such as Legal Research and Writing; Torts; Civil Litigation; Criminal Law; and Family Law will help students develop their practical and legal skills needed to enter the legal field. Through classes such as Trial Practice and Paralegal Work-based Learning, students will be able to apply the principles of law to the hands-on knowledge they need in the field. Graduates from the Paralegal Technology program are prepared to start their careers in entry-level positions in the legal field. UAPTC also offers Paralegal Technology and Legal Secretary Certificates.
Hybrid and Online Programs
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas (U of A) offers students a Minor in Legal Studies through the Fullbright School of Arts and Sciences Department of Political Science. The 15-credit hour program is offered entirely online and will allow students to develop skills in problem-solving; oral and written communications; and management. The minor offers students a base of legal instruction in history, politics, and human social behavior through classes in legal subjects including Media Law, the Judicial Process, and Agricultural Law. For those interested in further legal education, the U of A School of Law offers post-graduate certificates in Business Law and Criminal Law that can be pursued either independently or as part of a Juris Doctorate (JD) program.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs: https://www.paralegal411.org/degrees/bachelors/online/
3. US News & World Report Best Law Schools 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings
4. US News & World Report Best Legal Writing Programs 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/legal-writing-rankings
5. American Bar Association Approved Paralegal Programs: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/
6. Niche: https://www.niche.com/
7. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Ranking ROI of 4,500 US Colleges and Universities: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/CollegeROI/