Associate of Applied Science Degree in Legal Support and Services

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Earn Your Degree as Early as:
18
Total Courses
$371
Cost per Credit
2 years
Average Completion*
15–18 Hours/Week
Course Effort

Associate’s in Legal Support and Services Overview

Employment of legal support occupations is growing fast. Come back stronger, ready to meet the demand, with an online associate’s degree from Purdue Global, the largest online university provider of legal support services programs in the U.S.

  • Prepare to provide legal services and support not only in law firms, but also in corporations, health care institutions, and a wide range of fields and settings.
  • Build foundational knowledge of the law and study legal administrative topics such as legal research and writing, civil litigation, legal ethics, torts, and various legal disciplines.
  • Gain real-world experience through an internship option that complements your classroom studies.
  • Prepare to sit for professional paralegal certifications.

Gain Skills You Can Use Right Away

  • Analyze data necessary to assist clients.
  • Identify and gather information.
  • Communicate with diverse stakeholders.
  • Draft and organize information for litigation.
  • Prepare documents used in legal proceedings.
  • Prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.
View Program Detail Plan and Policies

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Faculty With Industry Experience

Learn from faculty who offer real-world expertise in legal services, law, and policy. They know what it takes to advance your career in this field and ensure your studies cover the latest developments in the field.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You are also encouraged to complete orientation before you start classes. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

What Courses Will I Take?

The core curriculum builds fundamental knowledge of the law and prepares you with the professional competencies to assist during legal proceedings or investigations.

In your first course, you’ll develop your degree plan with a faculty member to align your degree path with your career outcomes. Your program will culminate with a capstone course that builds upon all the courses taken in the program.

Sample Courses

  • Legal Research and Writing
  • Civil Litigation
  • Legal Ethics
  • Introduction to Torts
  • Family Law
See All Legal Support and Services Courses

Program Requirements

25
Core Credits
50
Major Credits
15
Elective Credits
90
Total Credits

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Take the Next Step in Your Education and Career

Prepare for the Certified Paralegal Examination

The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) recognizes the Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services as meeting the coursework criteria for eligibility to sit for the Certified Paralegal Examination.

Get a Head Start on Your Next Degree

By completing the associate’s degree in legal support and services, you’ll not only earn a valuable credential to make an immediate impact on your career, but you’ll also lay the groundwork for your next degree. Transfer your associate’s degree into a Purdue Global bachelor's degree in legal support and services, covering half of the program’s requirements.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Engage With Fellow Students

When you earn your degree from Purdue Global, you join an active and diverse alumni community.

Students enrolled in the associate’s degree program are invited to join organizations such as the Purdue Global Law Society for further networking and educational opportunities.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

Prior Work Experience Reduction

You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

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Career Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for legal support and services is expected to rise. Graduates with an associate's degree can pursue career paths in environments that include contract-driven industries such as real estate and licensing, corporate legal departments, the court and judicial system, legal firms, insurance companies, and consulting firms.

Average Salary

Low

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Lightcast average salary ranges can be explored further using Lightcast’s SkillsMatch tool. Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Take 3 Weeks to Get to Know Us

Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Experience a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period.

There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply.

That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.

Our Commitment

Download the Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

Prepare yourself for success with a associate’s degree in legal support and services.

View Brochure

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

98%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

51%

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

395

Faculty publications in 2021–2022

More Than 38,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

Connect with an AdvisorApply Online Today
NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Future Programs: The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs. Speak to an Advisor about transfer credit opportunities and see the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

Job Growth for Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Paralegals and Legal Assistants, www.bls.gov/ooh/Legal/Paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

Largest University Provider of Legal Support Services: Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2021–2022 Total Degrees and Certificates Conferred, First Major, Legal Support Services, https://nces.ed.gov/IPEDS. Based on the total number of degrees and certificates granted by Purdue Global compared to other degree-granting institutions.

Legal Studies Programs: The coursework in Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science in Legal Support and Services programs fulfill the academic requirements to apply for the National Association of Legal Assistants' (NALA) Certified Paralegal examination. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.

Paralegals are not lawyers and cannot practice law or give legal advice. Graduates are not authorized to practice law and will not be eligible to sit for any state’s bar examination. This program was not designed to meet any state-specific requirements for licensure or certification. Refer to Purdue Global's State Licensure and Certifications page for state-specific licensure information.