Paralegal Schools in Wyoming
The following guide to paralegal schools in Wyoming will provide you with relevant information about your options so that you can make an informed decision on where to attend school. There are a few options for obtaining a paralegal degree or certificate in Wyoming; however, considering the limited options, you might want to look at programs in surrounding states such as Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, or Utah. Or, as an alternative to traditional on-campus paralegal programs, you may wish to consider online paralegal programs, which typically offer more flexibility for working students. For more information about job possibilities in the paralegal field, visit our paralegal careers in Wyoming guide.
Quick Facts
- There are 3 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in Wyoming.1
- 2 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 3 schools offer an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- No schools offer 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
- 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools in 2022.3
- 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs in 2022.4
- 3 ABA-approved paralegal degree programs are in Wyoming.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 Wyoming
- Select Schools in Wyoming with Paralegal Degrees
Comparison of Paralegal Programs
The table below will help you compare not-for-profit paralegal and legal studies programs in Wyoming 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 | Casper College (Casper) | Yes | Certificate-Legal Assistant; AA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 40% | Yes | $5,127 | $6,373 | Central Wyoming College (Riverton) | — | AA-Pre-Legal Studies | 100% | 33% | — | $4,750 | $5,827 | Laramie County Community College (Cheyenne) | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal; AAS-Paralegal | 100% | 27% | — | $6,272 | $6,413 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wyoming (Laramie) | Yes | AJB Law Diversity Pipeline; BA-Criminal Justice: Pre-Law; BAS-Organizational Leadership; Minor-Pre-Law | 96% | 59% | Yes | $11,250 | $12,224 |
- — 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 Wyoming (#119 tie)
US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs 2022
- University of Wyoming (#46 tie)
Select Schools in Wyoming with Paralegal Degrees
Traditional Programs
Central Wyoming College
Students at Central Wyoming College (CWC) can earn an Associate of Arts (AA) in Pre-Legal Studies. The program is designed for students seeking a broad educational foundation in law. The curriculum starts with general education courses in a wide range of subjects, including arts, math, and oral communications. Pre-Legal Studies majors then complete courses in legal subjects such as Politics and Judicial Process; Criminology; Law of Evidence; and Intro to Persuasion. Coursework provides an overview of the legal system in the United States and allows students to explore different subspecialties within the law. Graduates from this program may use the associate degree as a foundation for further study in the law. Other graduates may choose to find entry-level positions as paralegals or legal assistants, victim advocates, and in other related roles.
Laramie County Community College
Both the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal and the Paralegal Certificate of Completion offered by Laramie County Community College (LCCC) have been approved by the ABA. These programs provide students with practical skills, experience, and knowledge to succeed in the paralegal profession. Graduates of these programs are thus expected to demonstrate substantive knowledge in three legal specialty areas, have the ability to make sound ethical judgments, and have the ability to perform legal research. The degree program includes a variety of general education courses, core legal specialty courses, and paralegal elective courses such as Family Law; Real Estate and Property Law; and Constitutional Law. Within this structure, students have some opportunity to specialize their degrees through the selection of elective courses, including options in family law, property law, and business law. Graduates may find careers in government services, private law firms, or financial institutions.
Continue your paralegal education by attending paralegal/legal education opportunities (“CLE”), whether in your chosen field or a legal area of personal interest. There are a plethora of educational opportunities available through local paralegal associations as well as the American Bar Association, national paralegal associations (NFPA, NALA, NALS, AAPI, etc.), and companies like NBI/IPE, Lorman, WestLegalEd.” –Mianne L. Besser, President and NFPA Secondary of the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association.
Hybrid and Online Programs
Casper College
Casper College offers a hybrid online ABA-approved Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal Studies focused on research practices and skills within the paralegal field. The degree program can be completed at least 70% online, with 30% or less to be completed on-campus. Students will develop legal research skills, fact investigation techniques, and professional technical skills. They will also have access to Westlaw and will learn how to use the software with proficiency. Paralegal-specific courses teach students to prepare legal documents, organize case files, analyze dispositions, and draft wills, contracts, and other legal documents. The Casper College paralegal program also emphasizes career development, offering students job and internship placement assistance. Students are additionally encouraged to take the exam to become a Certified Paralegal (CP), a nationally-recognized professional credential. An ABA-approved post-bachelor’s Paralegal Certificate is offered as well.
Northern Wyoming Community College District
The Northern Wyoming Community College District (NWCCD) offers an Associate of Arts (AA) and an Associate of Science (AS) in General Studies degree that can be completed at Sheridan College, Gillette College, or entirely online. Students in the General Studies program complete different college-level course offerings that provide a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of different subjects. The curriculum includes general education courses in a number of different areas of study including arts, mathematics, history, and computer science. Through interactive teamwork and classroom assignments, students learn practical skills in communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. Many graduates go on to transfer their academic credits to a four-year degree program, allowing them to begin their bachelor’s degree with many of the general prerequisites already completed. This program enables students to pursue virtually any career, including paralegal or legal assistant, with practical skills and knowledge that translate to many different fields.
University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming (UW) offers an online Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree in Organizational Leadership. The 120-credit degree is built for both traditional and non-traditional students to earn their degree at a pace that is achievable for them. The Organizational Leadership major allows students to customize their education so they can advance their careers, prepare for graduate degrees, or enter the workforce in various careers, including paralegal positions. Coursework emphasizes leadership, community interaction, business operations, and administration. Students will take one course called Discovering/Utilizing Ideas and Information; two courses in communication; one to two courses in analysis and problem solving; two courses in contemporary society (in subjects such as criminal justice, history, or political science); three career electives; and four courses in organizational leadership. At least 42 credits will come from upper division courses, and 30 of these must be earned at UW. Students are required to have an associate degree in any field to be admitted. The UW College of Law also offers a Pre-Law concentration and minor as well as a fast-track associate/bachelor’s/Juris Doctor (ABJ) Law Diversity Pipeline 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/