Trade Schools
If you live in Nebraska and 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
- Conducting legal research
- Drafting documents
- Investigating the facts relevant to a case
- Interviewing clients
- Getting affidavits and other formal statements
- Helping lawyers during trials
- And more
As more law firms try to minimize costs for their clients, many tasks that were previously completed by entry-level lawyers are now assigned to paralegals.
This results in a growing 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 in a different field and a certificate in paralegal studies.
Programs are available on-site at Nebraska schools and online at schools located in other states.
On this page, we will compile information about the best paralegal schools in Nebraska and the programs offered.
1Nebraska College of Law
About the School
Nebraska College of Law provides legal education and works with faculty who are actively engaged in addressing real-world problems.
Courses offered
Among many other career pathways, the College provides a Master of Legal Studies designed for students who are not interested in practicing law but want to develop a better understanding of the law that affects their areas of interest.
The program is jointly administered by the College of Law and the Graduate College.
Those who have completed a Bachelor’s degree or will complete a degree by the beginning of the term at a fully accredited institution qualify for admission into this program.
The program includes 33 credit hours.
Students must complete a Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research course and one of the following courses: Contracts, Torts, or Property.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 830902, Lincoln, NE 68583-0902
- Phone: 402-472-2161
- Website: https://law.unl.edu
2Bellevue University
About the School
Bellevue University provides undergraduate and graduate programs designed to help students in every step of their careers.
The programs offered by Bellevue University are available 100 percent online or on campus.
More than 80 career-focused programs are available.
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
Courses Offered
Among many other career pathways, the university provides a Legal Studies Degree that helps students accelerate their path toward a pre-law degree.
The major requirements include:
- Foundation for Legal Studies
- Theory and Practice of Law
- Professional Responsibility and Ethics in Law
- Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing
- Constitutional Law, Liberty, and Emerging Policy
- The Rule and Role of Law in Matters of Life and Death
Contact Information
- Address: 1000 Galvin Road South, Bellevue, Nebraska 68005
- Phone: 402.293.2000 | 1.800.756.7920
- Website: https://www.bellevue.edu
3Metropolitan Community College
About the School
Metropolitan Community College provides a variety of academic programs designed to prepare students for careers in a wide range of industries.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
All college programs are approved by the Nebraska State Department of Education for veterans’ educational benefits.
Courses Offered
The college provides a Paralegal & Legal Studies program that leads to an associate degree.
This program prepares students for entry-level occupations in law offices of all sizes and specialties.
Students can fulfill elective requirements and focus on an area of concentration by selecting from one of the four below six-course Career Certificates:
- Immigration Law Specialist
- Legal Specialist
- Litigation Specialist
- Transactional Law Specialist
Students are required to take at least 13.5 quarter credit hours of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
The curriculum includes courses as:
- Introduction to Law & the Legal Profession
- The Paralegal Profession
- Law Office Technology
- Legal Research and Writing
- Laws Capstone
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 829 N 204th St., Elkhorn, NE 68022
- Phone: 531-622-1301
- Website: https://www.mccneb.edu
4University of Nebraska Omaha
About the School
University of Nebraska Omaha offers a variety of training programs.
Tuition and fees sum up to $8,370 for Nebraska residents for full-time enrollment of 27 credit hours or more for the nine-month academic year.
University of Nebraska Omaha is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
Among other programs, the University of Nebraska Omaha provides a Legal Studies undergraduate program available as a secondary concentration.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Legal and Ethical Applications
- Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion Solutions for Minimizing Risk
Law Electives such as Special Problems in Law and Society, Real Estate Law, Legal Issues in Management, Basic Appraisal Procedures, Risk Management for Business Managers, and more are also available.
Contact Information
- Address: 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
- Phone: 402.554.2800
- Website: https://www.unomaha.edu
5CLS by BARBRI
As mentioned in the introduction, paralegal programs are also available online at schools or colleges located in other states.
These programs allow you to complete the coursework at your own pace, from the comfort of your home.
About the School
Formerly known as The Center for Legal Studies, CLS by BARBRI provides continuing legal education.
The curriculum is delivered to students in online, live lecture and text-only formats.
Courses Offered
The following paralegal courses are available at the school:
- Paralegal Certificate Course
- Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course
- Advanced Legal Research and Writing
- Personal Injury for Paralegals
- eDiscovery for Paralegals
Costs vary depending on the course.
The Paralegal Certificate Course costs $1,895.
According to the school’s website, this is a flagship introductory course that functions as a first step toward a paralegal career.
The most popular format can be completed in two, seven-week instructor-led sessions.
The school’s interactive platform offers 24/7 online course access with video and printed tutorials available.
Contact Information
- Address: 12222 Merit Drive, Suite 1340, Dallas, TX 75251
- Phone: 800-522-7737
- Website: https://www.legalstudies.com
6Colorado Mountain College
About the School
Colorado Mountain College provides a Paralegal Degree in the neighboring state of Colorado.
The program prepares students with the skills needed to perform a variety of tasks in a legal office, including:
Doing basic research
Drafting legal documents
Conducting client and witness interviews, and more.
After completing the associate program, students have the option to continue their education at Colorado Mountain College and earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Leadership and Management or transfer to Colorado Mesa University and earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Administration/Public Safety.
Colorado Mountain College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The online Associate in Applied Science curriculum includes the following program requirements:
- Introduction to Law
- Torts
- Family Law
- Contracts
- Property Law
- Legal Ethics
- Civil Litigation
- Business Organization Law
- Legal Research & Writing
- And more
Learners start by understanding different areas of the law, definitions, contracts, and research principles.
The program also emphasizes communication skills, an important asset in a paralegal’s career.
Students have to earn between 63-64 credits for this degree and are required to complete between 945-975 contact hours.
To obtain a Certificate, students must earn 36 credit hours and complete 540 contact hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 802 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
- Phone: 970-945-8691
- Website: https://coloradomtn.edu
7Community College of Denver
Community College of Denver provides several paralegal programs that prepare students for a career in this exciting and expanding field.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The following paralegal programs are available at the Community College of Denver:
- Paralegal Transfer- a program available in the classroom, hybrid, or fully online
- Paralegal- a program offered in the classroom, a hybrid or fully online format
- General Paralegal- this program is offered in the classroom, in a hybrid format, or fully online
- Licensed Legal Paraprofessional- a fully online program
The programs offered at Community College of Denver provide students with the ability to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science, with an emphasis in Paralegal, and start working immediately or transfer to a four-year college or university.
The curriculum includes courses and electives such as:
- Constitutional Law
- Legal Writing
- Torts
- Family Law
- Contracts
- Property Law
- Administrative Law
- Criminal Law
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: King Center, Room 594, 855 Lawrence Way, Denver, CO 80204
- Phone: 303.556.2487
- Website: https://www.ccd.edu
8Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University offers students the opportunity to earn a degree in Criminal Justice, Government, or Public Administration.
The University has earned regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university located in Arizona.
The online degree programs offered by the university offer students the flexibility they need in order to keep a job while preparing for a new career from the comfort of their homes.
Courses Offered
The following Bachelor’s Degrees in Criminal Justice, Government, and Public Administration programs are available at Grand Canyon University:
- BA in Government: Legal Studies
- BA in Government: State and Local Public Policy
- BS in Forensic Science
- BS in Justice Studies
- And more
Master’s Degree programs in Law Enforcement and Legal Studies are also available at the university.
Contact Information
- Address: 3300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017
- Phone: 602-639-7500
- Website: https://www.gcu.edu
9Pikes Peak State College
Pikes Peak State College provides programs designed to teach students a skill and help them earn a degree or certificate.
Three campuses and additional learning centers are located throughout Colorado Springs.
Courses are also available online.
Day and evening classes are provided to adjust to any lifestyle.
More than 150 degrees and certificate programs are included in the college’s catalog.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Program available at Pikes Peak State College prepares students with the skills to support licensed professionals in preparing for trial.
Among many other skills, students learn how to draft documents and conduct legal research.
The program covers tasks, such as:
- Developing an understanding of the various types of law
- Learning to conduct legal research
- Drafting initial legal documents and pleadings
- Assisting in preparing trial notebooks
The curriculum also includes courses on topics such as:
- Introduction to Law
- Family Law
- Legal Ethics
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5675 S. Academy Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80906
- Phone: 719-502-2000
- Website: https://www.pikespeak.edu
10Arizona State University
Arizona State University helps students earn a degree on their schedule from anywhere in the world.
More than 300 online degrees and certificates are available at the university.
Students can complete the coursework and prepare for a new career while keeping a job.
Courses Offered
The following law, criminal justice, and public policy degrees are included in the university’s catalog:
- Tourism and Recreation Management
- Justice Studies
- Business- Law
- Political Science
- Sports Law and Business
- Social Work
- Legal Studies
- And more
The Master of Legal Studies provided at Arizona State University is an advanced degree designed for students who are interested in understanding the law, but not practicing it.
The program helps students build a foundation in United States law before they choose the electives that support their career goals.
Ten classes are available in total.
The program includes 30 credit hours in total.
Students take courses on:
- U.S. Law and Legal Analysis
- Administrative Agencies and Regulations
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Fundamentals of Contract Law
- Intellectual Property
- Property
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Phone: 855.278.5080
- Website: https://asuonline.asu.edu
Regional Salary in Nebraska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island, NE | 40 | $47,670 | $22.92 | $61,870 | $35,670 |
| Lincoln, NE | 460 | $56,810 | $27.31 | $74,710 | $41,350 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 920 | $59,400 | $28.56 | $82,800 | $41,380 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to become ready for employment as a Paralegal, there are plenty of schools that provide specialized training programs.
Classes are available online and in person so students can complete the coursework while keeping a full-time job.
Now that you have read our selection of the best Paralegal schools that offer programs accessible to Nebraska residents, the next step is to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs.
