Trade Schools
If you want to start a non-lawyer career in the legal field, the paralegal profession can be the right fit for you.
Paralegals and legal assistants are usually responsible for completing tasks such as:
- Maintaining and organizing files
- Completing legal research
- Drafting legal documents
- Investigating and gathering facts of a case
- Getting affidavits and other formal statements to be used as evidence in court
- Helping lawyers during trials
- And more
As more law firms are looking to minimize costs for their clients, many tasks that were previously completed by entry-level lawyers are now assigned to paralegals.
This leads to an increased demand for skilled workers in this profession.
Before being ready for employment as a paralegal you will need an associate’s degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor’s degree and a certificate in paralegal studies.
On this page, we will compile information about the best paralegal schools in Minnesota and the programs available.
1Hamline University
About the School
Hamline University provides undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs.
Majors, concentrations, minors, and certificates are available to prepare students for their careers.
Hamline University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
Among many other programs, the university provides the following law-related programs:
- Legal Studies- Major/Minor
- Legal Studies- Law and Society- Major
- Paralegal- Certificate
- And more
The Legal Studies major is designed to equip students with the critical thinking skills to analyze legal problems, investigative skills for legal research, and professional experience through mock-up trials, internships, and other opportunities.
Students learn from experienced professors, scholars, and practitioners of the law.
A legal studies major also provides professional certificates, interdisciplinary pathways, pre-law advising, and opportunities for graduate credit.
Contact Information
- Address: 1536 Hewitt Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104
- Phone: 651-523-2800
- Website: https://www.hamline.edu
2Winona State University
About the School
Winona State University provides a variety of academic programs at its Rochester and Winona campuses, as well as online.
Courses Offered
Among many other programs, the university provides a Paralegal Studies certificate.
This program is available at the Winona campus and online.
This program includes 22 credits.
The curriculum covers the following required courses:
- Introduction to American Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Civil Procedure
- Criminal Procedure
A paralegal internship is also part of this program.
Students also need six credits of electives, such as:
- Evidentiary Rules
- Practical Legal Investigation Techniques
- Legal Studies Internship
- Legal Studies Topics and Issues
- Mock Trial
Students can earn an American Bar Association-approved Paralegal Certificate in as little as two semesters.
They learn from practicing attorneys topics such as civil and criminal procedure, contracts, family law, and wills and estates.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 5838, 175 West Mark Street, Winona, MN 55987
- Phone: 507.285.7100
- Website: https://www.winona.edu
3North Hennepin Community College
About the School
North Hennepin Community College provides more than 70 academic programs that prepare students for employment or transfer.
The college provides flexible learning options with on-campus, online, hybrid, or weekend classes.
Courses Offered
The college provides a Paralegal A.S. and a Paralegal Certificate.
The Certificate is designed for students who already have an associate in science, associate in art, bachelor’s, or higher degree.
Students must take at least nine-semester credits or the equivalent through traditional classroom or online synchronous instruction as required by the American Bar Association.
The Paralegal curriculum includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Law and Paralegal Studies
- Computer Applications in the Legal Profession
- Litigation
- Legal Research and Writing
- Legal Studies and Internship
The program includes electives such as:
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Paralegal Special Topics
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Torts and Personal Injury Law
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 7411 85th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
- Phone: 763-488-0391
- Website: https://www.nhcc.edu
4Inver Hills Community College
About the School
Inver Hills Community College provides degree and budget-friendly transfer credits.
Tuition at the college is $187.73 per credit.
The total cost, based on 15 credits per term/30 credits per year is $6,007.
It includes the technology fee, parking fee, activity fee, and student association fee.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes a Paralegal program that is approved by the American Bar Association since 1978.
The program prepares graduates to work under the supervision of attorneys in civil and criminal matters.
The following credentials are available:
- Paralegal Associate in Science- 60 credits
- Paralegal Certificate- 30 credits
Students take classes such as:
- Introduction to Law and Contracts
- Criminal Justice System
- Real Estate Law
- Family Law
- Legal Research
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2500 80th St E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
- Phone: 651-450-3000
- Website: https://www.inverhills.edu
5Lake Superior College
About the School
Lake Superior College is a community and technical college that provides high-quality academic programs.
The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The College provides a Paralegal Certificate program available on-campus and online.
This program is designed for students interested in becoming non-lawyer legal professionals.
The Certificate requires 30 credits.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Legal Studies I: Terminology and Procedures
- Business Law: An Introduction
- Computers in the Law Office
- Business Law: Commercial Topics
- Legal Writing
- Civil Litigation
- And more
Students learn how to use the technology and software commonly found in a modern law office and receive practical instruction in legal terminology.
Contact Information
- Address: 2101 Trinity Road, Duluth, MN 55811
- Phone: 218-733-7600
- Website: https://www.lsc.edu
6Alexandria Technical & Community College
About the School
Alexandria Technical & Community College is a public two-year college that provides a variety of programs, including fast-track online programs that can be completed by students at their own pace.
Alexandria Technical & Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Course Offered
The college provides a Paralegal curriculum that can lead to an Associate in Applied Science Degree or Diploma.
Students enrolled in the Paralegal program at Alexandria Technical & Community College take classes such as:
- Legal Office Procedures & Ethics
- Civil Litigation
- Criminal Procedures, Business Organization, Family Law
- Estates, Probate, & Real Estates
- Paralegal Skills & Legal Writing
- And more
Tuition is $182.61 per credit while fees add $24.50 to the total per credit cost.
Online students pay $211.55 per credit for tuition and $12.67 per credit for fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 1601 Jefferson Street, Alexandria, MN 56308
- Phone: 320.762.0221
- Website: https://www.alextech.edu
7Anoka Technical College
About the School
Anoka Technical College provides degrees, diplomas, and certificates that prepare students for careers in more than 70 areas of study.
Students receive hands-on training from industry experts.
Affordable and flexible learning options are available.
Anoka Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The college provides a Legal Office Specialist program offered completely online with part-time options.
The program is developed by legal professionals and is certified by Minnesota WIOA.
The Anoka Technical College Associate of Applied Science degree in Legal Office Specialist is a 60-credit program that covers administrative support and legal courses.
The Legal Office Specialist curriculum includes courses such as:
- Business Law
- Microsoft Word
- Strengths and Wellness
- Legal Procedures
- Administrative Office Procedures
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1355 West Highway 10, Anoka, MN 55303
- Phone: 763-433-1100
- Website: https://www.anokatech.edu
8Ridgewater College
About the School
Ridgewater College helps students achieve a college degree for more than 50 years.
Courses Offered
Ridgewater College provides a Legal Assistant program that combines administrative assistant skills with legal research and support.
The following pathways are available:
- Legal Assistant Associate in Applied Science
- Legal Assistant Certificate
- Legal Assistant Diploma
This program is delivered fully online.
The college provides fall and spring starts.
Students learn a variety of skills, including:
- Transcript and technology
- Legal terminology
- Document composition for legal matters
- Hands-on legal research and actions
- Office procedures
- Timekeeping and billing statements
The diploma program includes requirements such as:
- Administrative Office Procedures
- Family Law and Estate Planning/Probate
- Legal Documentation
- Legal Research
- Advanced Legal Practice
- Computer Technology Professional Development Skills
- And more
Students also need to complete 12 credits of technical electives, such as:
- Payroll Preparation
- Business Presentations
- Access
- PowerPoint
- Desktop Publishing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2 Century Ave SE, Hutchinson, MN 55350
- Phone: 320-222-5200
- Website: https://ridgewater.edu
9Purdue Global
Paralegal training programs are also available online, at colleges located in other states.
About the School
Purdue University Global provides programs designed to help working adults earn a degree.
Purdue Global provides an online university designed to fit into the students’ busy life.
Courses Offered
Among many other program pathways, the university’s catalog features the following legal studies programs:
- Master of Science in Legal Studies
- Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services
- Legal Secretary Certificate
- Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- And more
The Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate can be completed in 11 months.
The paralegal certificate requires that student complete 36-37 credits.
The program costs $371 per credit.
Students learn from a faculty of legal practitioners with real-world expertise in legal services, law, and policy.
The curriculum covers topics such as:
- Introduction to the Law and Legal Profession
- Civil Litigation
- Legal Ethics
- Law Office Management
- Legal Research and Writing
- And other related topics
Contact Information
- Address: 2550 Northwestern Avenue, Suite 1100, West Lafayette, IN 47906
- Phone: 866-522-7747
- Website: https://www.purdueglobal.edu
10Liberty University
About the School
Another paralegal training program that can be completed by students online is available at Liberty University, an accredited Christian college in Virginia.
A variety of programs are offered by the university at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
The classes are taught from a Christian perspective.
The programs are available fully online and students can complete the coursework while keeping a job and remaining active in their community.
Students can transfer up to 75% of the degree total.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies program available at Liberty University provides students with the experience and practical skills that can be marketed while they pursue a Bachelor’s degree.
The program prepares students with a foundational knowledge of criminal law and procedures, writing depositions, and real estate transactions, and in-demand skills such as performing title searches.
The program includes 60 credit hours and can be completed in one and a half years, on average.
Contact Information
- Address: 1971 University Blvd., Lynchburg, Virginia 24515
- Phone: (888) 376-3157
- Website: https://www.liberty.edu
Regional Salary in Minnesota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | 120 | $57,000 | $27.4 | $76,840 | $36,930 |
| Mankato-North Mankato, MN | 70 | $58,630 | $28.19 | $72,120 | $46,670 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 5,120 | $64,590 | $31.05 | $98,360 | $39,790 |
| Rochester, MN | 150 | $58,020 | $27.9 | $80,450 | $38,600 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 160 | $57,630 | $27.71 | $77,980 | $37,690 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Minnesota provides plenty of training options for those who want to start a career in the paralegal profession.
Many programs are also available online and allow students to keep a full-time job while preparing for a new career in the legal field.
Now that you have read our selection of the top training programs available in your region, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs.
