Trade Schools
This page compiles information about the best paralegal schools in Wisconsin.
If you want to start a non-lawyer career in the legal field, this profession is worth exploring.
Paralegals and legal assistants usually work in legal offices and are usually responsible for a variety of tasks in a law office, such as:
- Maintaining and organizing files
- Conducting legal research
- Drafting documents
- Investigating and gathering facts of a case
- Getting affidavits and other formal statements that can be used as evidence in court
- Helping lawyers during trials
- And more
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.
1Chippewa Valley Technical College
Chippewa Valley Technical College offers more than 110 programs, CVTC provides flexible, hands-on learning.
The programs are designed to prepare students for fulfilling, high-paying jobs.
Courses Offered
A Legal Studies/Paralegal program is available at the college.
The two-year, flexible, associate degree is designed to help students explore a wide range of legal disciplines, including criminal, family, immigration, employment, real estate, and more.
Students learn a variety of skills, including:
- How to investigate facts of a legal case
- Research legal issues
- Perform case management tasks
- Prepare legal documents
- Assist attorneys in trials and hearings
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Family Law
- Legal Writing
- Legal Aspects of Business Organizations
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 620 W. Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701
- Phone: 715-833-6300
- Website: https://www.cvtc.edu
2Fox Valley Technical College
About the School
Fox Valley Technical College offers a variety of degree programs.
Students receive high-tech occupational training for today’s workplace to sharpen job skills or prepare for a new career.
Courses Offered
The Legal Studies/Paralegal program available at Fox Valley Technical College leads to an Associate Degree.
The program requires 62 credits.
Students learn the skills needed to work under the supervision of lawyers to draft and interpret legal documents, select, compile, and use technical legal information, analyze and resolve legal procedural problems, and more.
The approximate cost based on current tuition and fees is approximately $10,000.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Legal Research & Writing Introduction
- Civil Litigation Procedures
- Business Law
- Legal Aspects/Business Organizations
- Legal Studies Internship
- Employment Law of Legal Professionals
- Criminal Procedures for Legal Professionals
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1825 N. Bluemound Drive, P.O. Box 2277, Appleton, WI 54912-2277
- Phone: 800-735-FVTC (3882)
- Website: https://www.fvtc.edu
3Lakeshore Technical College
About the School
Lakeshore Technical College offers many different career programs, customized training for companies, personal and professional continuing education, and adult education.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The college offers a Legal Studies/Paralegal program.
This Associate Degree program is accredited by the American Bar Association and complies with the Wisconsin Bar Association to become a Wisconsin Bar Certified Paralegal.
Students learn how to:
- Apply ethical principles in a legal environment
- Process legal documents
- Perform legal research
- Apply critical thinking skills
- Demonstrate professionalism in a legal environment
The per-tuition cost for this program is $138.90
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Business Law
- Introduction to Paralegalism and Legal Ethics
- Real Estate Law- Paralegal
- Civil Litigation
- Legal Writing
- Personal Branding- Paralegal
- Criminal Law Paralegal
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1290 North Avenue, Cleveland, WI 53015
- Phone: 888.GO.TO.LTC
- Website: https://gotoltc.edu
4Madison Area Technical College
Madison Area Technical College offers more than 180 training programs designed to help students start or upgrade their careers.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The Legal Studies/Paralegal program at Madison Area Technical College is available in full or part-time, online live or online formats.
The program awards 60 credits and leads to an Associate Degree.
Students can graduate in only two years.
The estimated program cost is $9,750.
The coursework covers topics such as:
- Ethics
- Substantive and procedural law
- The American legal system
- Law offices and related environments
- Legal research and writing
- Law-related computer skills
- Legal interviewing and investigation
- And more
Students must complete at least nine credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses in person, online live, or classroom live.
Contact Information
- Address: 1701 Pearson Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53704
- Phone: 608.243.5400
- Website: https://madisoncollege.edu
5Northeast WI Technical College
About the School
Northeast WI Technical College is a nationally-recognized, two-year public college that serves nearly 20,000 individuals annually.
The college offers a variety of degrees, classes, and training.
Tuition is $160 per credit.
Courses Offered
The Legal Studies/Paralegal Associate Degree provided by the Northeast WI Technical College prepares students to work as paralegals under the supervision of a lawyer in a variety of settings.
The Paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association and is also a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education.
Students take courses such as:
- Paralegal Intro/ Legal Ethics
- Intro to Ethics: Theory & App
- Law Office Administration
- Estates and Probate
- Legal Computer Application
- Contracts and Insurance Law
- Civil Litigation
- Criminal Law and Procedures
- Legal Writing
- And more
Students must take two of four Selective Courses:
- Creditor/Debtor Relations
- Administrative Law
- Civil Trial Advocacy
- International Law & Immigration
Contact Information
- Address: 2740 West Mason St, Green Bay, WI 54303
- Phone: 920-498-5444
- Website: https://www.nwtc.edu
6University of Wisconsin- Madison
About the School
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public land-grant university and major research institution.
UW is one of the 10 largest research institutions in the country.
Courses Offered
The Legal Studies, B.A. program available at the University of Wisconsin- Madison aims to provide a liberal education across traditional disciplines.
The program focuses on the theory and operation of law and legal institutions.
The curriculum is centered around the following themes:
- Legal Institutions
- Processes of Legal Order and Disorder
- Law and Social Forces
- Law and Culture
- Law and Theory
This program includes 120 credits in total.
Contact Information
- Address: Madison, Wisconsin
- Phone: 608-263-2400
- Website: https://www.wisc.edu
7Western Technical College
About the School
Western Technical College provides the training students need when preparing for a new career.
This is an open-enrollment college.
Courses Offered
The Legal Studies/Paralegal program provided by Western Technical College includes 60 credits and prepares students for an exciting and challenging career in the legal field.
The program is approved by the American Bar Association.
The curriculum covers all aspects of law: criminal, family, real estate, civil, and probate.
Courses are available in person during the day, fully online, or a blend of the two formats.
The following options are available:
- Legal Studies/Paralegal Post Baccalaureate
- Legal Studies/Paralegal Associate Degree
Contact Information
- Address: 400 7th Street North, La Crosse, WI 54601
- Phone: 608-785-9200
- Website: https://www.westerntc.edu
8Madonna University
Paralegal programs are also available in the neighboring state of Michigan.
Madonna University was founded in 1937 and provides more than 100 associate and bachelor’s degree majors.
The student-to-faculty ratio is 13 to 1
Undergrad tuition at the university is $19,500 for full-time 30-36 credits enrollment.
The university’s main campus is located in Livonia.
Campuses are also in Dearborn, Gaylord, Macomb, and Southfield.
Courses Offered
Among many other pathways, the university provides a Paralegal Studies program.
This program provides associate and bachelor’s degrees, a post-baccalaureate paralegal certificate, a post-baccalaureate BSN certificate, a post-baccalaureate litigation management certificate, and a law minor.
Flexible course schedules are available.
Nine semester hours of legal specialty courses are taught in a synchronous format.
Courses are offered online and one-third are provided in a hyflex format on-campus.
The post-baccalaureate Certificate of Achievement includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- Legal Research and Writing
- Legal Research on the Internet
- Law Office Technology
- Domestic Relations
- Real Estate
- And more
Students also have to choose six semester hours from electives such as:
- Domestic Relations
- Real Estate
- Contractual and Commercial Relations
- Business Associations
- Intellectual Property
- Will and Trust Drafting
- Special Problems in Law
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 36600 Schoolcraft Road, Livonia, MI 48150 (Main Campus)
- Phone: (734) 432-5339
- Website: https://www.madonna.edu
9Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College provides a Paralegal Studies program in the state of Indiana.
The program is designed for students who want to start a career in the law field.
The Paralegal curriculum is available also as a distance education program.
Students learn from a faculty with knowledge and years of experience in this field.
Graduates may find employment in the court system or at private law firms.
Some also transfer to four-year institutions to earn a bachelor’s degree and attend law school afterward.
Courses Offered
The following degree options are available:
- Certificates- Paralegal Studies- an 18-credit hour program that can be completed in two semesters
- Technical Certificate- a 31-credit hour program that can be completed in three semesters
- Associate of Applied Science- a 60-credit hour program designed to be completed in four semesters
- Associate of Applied Science- Distance Education- a 60-credit hour program designed to be completed in four semesters
Students take classes such as:
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- Legal Research
- Legal Ethics
- Litigation
- Contracts and Commercial Law
- Legal Writing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 815 E 60th Street, Anderson, IN 46013
- Phone: 765-643-7133
- Website: https://www.ivytech.edu
10Purdue University Global
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 lives.
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 as few as 11 months.
The paralegal certificate requires that the 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 more
Contact Information
- Address: 2550 Northwestern Avenue, Suite 1100, West Lafayette, IN 47906
- Phone: 866-522-7747
- Website: https://www.purdueglobal.edu
Regional Salary in Wisconsin
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 190 | $51,280 | $24.66 | $70,270 | $36,630 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 70 | $51,680 | $24.85 | $64,950 | $40,240 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 50 | $47,880 | $23.02 | $58,240 | $36,270 |
| Green Bay, WI | 230 | $51,790 | $24.9 | $68,690 | $36,470 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 80 | $49,540 | $23.82 | $65,760 | $35,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 100 | $50,700 | $24.37 | $60,310 | $36,630 |
| Madison, WI | 830 | $56,470 | $27.15 | $81,320 | $35,640 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 2,090 | $58,300 | $28.03 | $83,000 | $39,320 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 100 | $51,690 | $24.85 | $72,230 | $36,150 |
| Racine, WI | 120 | $50,430 | $24.25 | $62,050 | $36,100 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 60 | $51,850 | $24.93 | $67,950 | $33,800 |
| Wausau, WI | 110 | $48,260 | $23.2 | $58,420 | $37,170 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of the best paralegal schools in Wisconsin, the next step is to continue the research and decide if this career path is a right fit for you.
Then you can choose the program that fits your learning style and career aspirations.
Programs are available at several campuses across the state and online.
