Kansas Paralegal Schools

There are several paralegal schools in Kansas that provide new job seekers and career changers the opportunity to earn a paralegal degree in a reasonably short time. This career move to paralegal can be a rewarding and lucrative one.

Paralegal Schools in Kansas

The state of Kansas has two paralegal programs that are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The first is at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park. JCCC offers an associate’s degree program that was started in 1977. This 64-credit hour program can be completed in about 2 ½ years. The second ABA-approved program is at Washburn University in Topeka. This university offers several options for study, including a Bachelor of Legal Studies degree, an Associate of Arts degree, and a certificate in legal studies. Additional programs in paralegal studies may be found through online options such as Kaplan University, Virginia College, and Westwood College, among others.

Paralegal Education Requirements

The state of Kansas does not have any specific educational requirements for paralegals. Prospective paralegals might, however, contact several law firms to inquire about what education or skills they desire in their paralegals. Another way to get more information is to contact one of the professional organizations for paralegals in Kansas – the Kansas Association of Legal Assistants (which is affiliated with NALA) and the Kansas Legal Assistants Society (affiliated with the NFPA).

Kansas Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook

The average salary for paralegals in Kansas is about $48,000. This is very close to the average salary for paralegals across the country. Further, the job outlook for paralegals in Kansas is very positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the need for paralegals will increase by 28 percent in the decade ending in 2018. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that many businesses are hiring paralegals to do work that lawyers have previously done (like legal research and drafting of documents). This cost-cutting measure allows the paralegals to do the initial work, and lawyers to come in and finalize the work, at a reduced cost to the business.

Online and Kansas Paralegal Schools