Looking for a career as a paralegal? At the IU School of Liberal Arts, you can earn your bachelor’s degree and paralegal certificate together through our ABA-approved paralegal studies program and graduate ready to start your career and thrive as a paralegal.
Law in Liberal Arts and Paralegal Studies
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Explore admissions, connect with advisors, and see what makes Liberal Arts Indy the perfect place to begin your next chapter. Learn how to apply now.
What is a paralegal?
“A paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.” –American Bar Association as Adopted by the ABA House of Delegates, 2020. Paralegals must not engage in the unauthorized practice of law and must work under the supervision of a licensed attorney except as otherwise permitted by law.
Start your legal journey in Indianapolis
Our in-person program takes place on campus in downtown Indianapolis, right in the heart of Indiana’s leading legal community. From day one, you’ll get hands-on experience and build practical legal skills while exploring a wide range of law topics.
You’ll also build strong communication, problem-solving, and tech skills that prepare you to succeed as a paralegal professional. It’s the foundation you need to launch your career with confidence.
Our faculty includes licensed, practicing attorneys from a wide range of specialties—bringing real-world experience straight into the classroom. And we’re proud to offer Indianapolis’s only paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.
From personalized advising to hands-on internships and career support, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, inside and outside the classroom.
Law in Liberal Arts BA
The Law in Liberal Arts BA is approved by the American Bar Association and is designed to prepare you for a career as a paralegal. Students who complete the Law in Liberal Arts major will simultaneously complete the requirements for the Paralegal Certificate and receive the BA and the certificate together. This major focuses on providing students with practical legal skills as well as a background in legal concepts so you will graduate with immediate job prospects in a rapidly expanding profession.
Paralegal Certificate Program
This ABA-approved certificate is for students who already have a bachelor’s degree. If you don’t yet have one, you’ll need to complete our Law in Liberal Arts bachelor’s degree program.
The Paralegal Certificate program covers a wide range of legal topics and helps you build the skills needed for success in law-related careers. You’ll learn from experienced, licensed attorneys right here in Indianapolis—giving you real-world insight and valuable connections in the legal field.
Disclaimers:
- Paralegals must not engage in the unauthorized practice of law and must work under the supervision of a licensed attorney except as otherwise permitted by law.
- Students must take at least nine (9) semester hours of required paralegal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
- Not all previous courses meet the required departmental guidelines. It is strongly recommended that transfer students meet with a Paralegal Studies Advisor in order to avoid conflicts and missing important courses, which may delay your graduation. Only up to four legal specialty courses will be accepted on transfer. The Director of Paralegal Studies reviews these transfer requests for adherence to our student learning outcomes and paralegal competencies.
IU Indianapolis Paralegal Program Objectives and Learning Outcomes
Adopted January, 2019, Approved by Advisory Board February, 2019
Program Objectives and accompanying Student Learning Outcomes—Developed to coincide with the IU Indianapolis Profiles of Learning for Undergraduate Success.
To prepare students to communicate effectively in a legal environment. This objective is demonstrated by the student’s ability to:
- Analyze legal situations
- Understand different arguments and perspectives through effective listening and comprehension skills
- Effectively communicate both orally and in writing
- Use legal research tools to write well-researched and legally reasoned responses
To stimulate critical thinking in our students so they can identify, evaluate, and adapt to legal issues. This objective is demonstrated by the student’s ability to:
- Evaluate legal situations
- Collaborate with peers to solve legal problems
- Consider legal arguments and counterarguments and prepare a response
- Arrive at reasoned, persuasive legal conclusions and be able to support these conclusions
To equip students with the foundational legal knowledge to allow them to respond to challenges in a legal environment. This objective is demonstrated by the student’s ability to:
- Develop an understanding of legal concepts and structures
- Decisively apply legal concepts to legal issues
- Develop an organizational system for accomplishing work
- Meet strict deadlines
- Utilize technology to efficiently complete legal work
To prepare students to understand and follow legal rules and structures, including ethical rules, and to promote fairness and civility. This objective is demonstrated by the student’s ability to:
- Understand and apply procedural rules
- Behave in a professional and courteous manner
- Understand and uphold the rules of professional conduct for lawyers
- Connect learning to the legal community and beyond
Interested in law school instead?
Explore our Pre-Law and BA/JD programs to learn more about preparing for law school. These programs are separate from our ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Program and do not train students to become paralegals.
More information
Contact the program director, Shana Stump.Explore degrees and certificates
Undergraduate majors
Every student in the School of Liberal Arts must complete a major to graduate.
Major in Law in Liberal Arts
Certificates
IU School of Liberal Arts students are not required to complete a certificate, but it can be a way to pursue a secondary interest. Any IU Indy student is invited to earn a certificate in the IU School of Liberal Arts.
Get involved
College is more than going to class and taking exams. It’s about discovering who you are, building connections, and having fun along the way. In other words, get involved!
Student Organizations
Level up your college experience:
- Meet awesome people who share your interests
- Grow your leadership skills
- Stand out on campus and in the community
- Make real friends and great college memories
- Leave your mark
Internships & Jobs
Living and learning in Indianapolis means you’re surrounded by real-world opportunities. You’ll gain more experience, connections, and confidence when it’s time to land that first job.
Student support and resources
Everything you need to thrive academically, intellectually, and personally during your time at the IU School of Liberal Arts.