Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies

Paralegals, also called legal assistants, work in a wide range of professional settings and are an integral part of the legal team. Under the direct supervision of attorneys, paralegals perform legal research, legal writing, litigation management & support, and legal technology support.

Graduates of WKU's Paralegal Studies degree programs are qualified to work in the following areas:

Quick Facts:

• 2017 Median Pay: $50,410 per year / $24.24 per hour

• Number of Jobs Openings in 2016: 285,600

• To create, implement and maintain a strong, flexible program directed to the quality education of competent paralegals;

• To provide a paralegal education program that leads to employment of its graduates in a variety of settings;

• To provide paralegals with a well-rounded, balanced education founded on a beneficial mix of general education, theory, ethics and procedure stressing understanding and reasoning rather than rote learning of facts;

• To support federal, Kentucky and local Rules of Procedure and general principles of ethical legal practice, professional responsibility, the prohibitions against the unauthorized practice of law by non-lawyers and the use and supervision of paralegals by lawyers;

• To provide education and to develop skills that are responsive to the varied needs of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the region and contributes to the overall advancement of the legal profession;

• To provide a program which instills respect for the legal profession and its foundation, institutions, and quest for justice; and

• To maintain equality of opportunity in the educational program without discrimination or segregation of the grounds of race, color, natural origin, gender, age, disability or economic need.