About 6,110 paralegals were employed in Michigan in 2018, with the majority working in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area.1 Michigan paralegal schools offer opportunities to earn a paralegal degree and learn the skills needed to enter a profession that plays a key role in the operation of law firms. Two- and four-year programs are found throughout the state, including online paralegal programs that offer flexible courses of study for working professionals.
How to Become a Paralegal in Michigan
Although paralegals can't offer legal advice or represent clients in court, the support tasks that they perform make them a valuable commodity in law firms and corporations. No specific education is set by law to become a paralegal in Michigan, so prospective paralegals in the state may choose to pursue a paralegal degree or be trained on the job. To be the most competitive in the market, starting with a degree in paralegal studies and pursuing voluntary certification through an organization such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) is the surest way to get ahead of the competition.
Michigan Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook
Michigan paralegals earned an average salary of $50,590 as of May 2018, close to the national average for the profession.1 Paralegals in the Detroit area earned a slightly higher average during the same time period, at $51,420.1 Growth is expected to continue over the next several years, with estimates predicting a 14.6% increase in paralegal jobs in Michigan through 2026.2 Furthermore, since Michigan's cost of living lower than the US average, salaries can go further, making it an attractive place to start a career as a paralegal. Prospective paralegals can consider positions in law firms, corporate legal and finance departments, and various government agencies. Increasing responsibilities allow for vertical career growth as managers or supervisors for paralegal teams.
Profiles of Well-Known Schools in Michigan
Oakland University – Rochester: Oakland University's Professional and Continuing Education division offers an American Bar Association-approved paralegal certificate. This program consists of 14 courses, with 10 dedicated to core paralegal classes. Students can take evening and Saturday classes in three 12-week terms, with term starts in September, January, and April. The paralegal certificate is meant to supplement a completed degree, and students must have completed a minimum of 45 credit hours from an accredited university or college to be eligible for admission.
Grand Valley State University: The School of Criminal Justice at Grand Valley State University gives students the opportunity to pursue an American Bar Association-approved legal studies major. This four-year degree includes introductory courses such as Introduction to Law, Legal Research and Writing, Property and Probate Law, and Commercial Law. Students are also required to complete a Legal Studies internship with one of the many law offices that have relationships with the School of Criminal Justice. Students can apply to scholarships specifically designed for Legal Studies majors, such as the Paralegal Michigan Bar Association Scholarship.
Baker College – Clinton: Baker College offers an online Associate of Business in Paralegal program that prepares graduates to become effective legal assistants. The 93-quarter hour program includes 61 quarter hours of study in the paralegal major, with a strong focus on legal writing, research, and analysis. Baker College also offers an on-campus Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies that provides students with more in-depth legal knowledge that can help advance their paralegal careers. The paralegal bachelor's degree program requires 181 quarter hours to complete. The Baker College Auburn Hills campus Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program is American Bar Association-approved. Baker College follows a "right-to-try" admissions policy and admits all students who have completed a high school diploma or GED.
Top Law Firms for Paralegal Graduates in Michigan
Garan Lucow Miller PC is headquartered in Detroit and is one of the largest law firms in the Great Lakes Region. The firm is continually expanding its practice areas and looks for qualified support staff with integrity, excellence, and high client service aptitudes.
Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC maintains an outstanding reputation thanks to its focus on results and legal excellence in all areas of practice, to which it credits its focus on Midwestern values. Foster Swift works with clients of all sizes from individuals to corporations from its six Michigan offices. Foster Swift enjoys a low staff turnover rate thanks to its highly rated workplace and encourages interested paralegals to apply for a position.
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP is recognized by the leading legal publications in the US for its accomplishments and commitments to excellence. Warner Norcross represents some of the biggest names in US industry, including Whirlpool and Dow Chemical. Warner Norcross looks to hire the very best and is aggressively recruiting diversity candidates.
Paralegal Schools and Programs in Michigan
An asterisk indicates that one or more of the school's programs have been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).Baker College of Auburn Hills (Auburn Hills)*Associate of Business | ParalegalAssociate of Business | Paralegal (online)Bachelor of Science | Legal StudiesBachelor of Arts | Business Administration: Accelerated Program: Legal Studies
Baker College of Clinton Township (Clinton Township)*Associate of Business | ParalegalAssociate of Business | Paralegal (online)
Baker College of Jackson (Jackson)*Associate of Business | Paralegal
Davenport University (Grand Rapids)*Associate of Science | Paralegal StudiesBachelor of Science | Paralegal StudiesPost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Paralegal StudiesPost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Paralegal Studies (online)
Delta College (University Center)Associate in Business Studies | Legal Support ProfessionalAdvanced Certificate | Legal Support Professional: Law Office FoundationAdvanced Certificate | Legal Support Professional: Law Office Specialist
Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti)*Bachelor of Science | Paralegal (Legal Assisting) StudiesSecond Bachelor's Degree| Paralegal Studies
Ferris State University (Big Rapids)*Associate of Arts | Pre-LawAssociate of Applied Science | Legal Studies
Grand Valley State University (Allendale)*Bachelor of Arts | Legal StudiesBachelor of Science | Legal StudiesMinor | Legal StudiesLegal Education Admission Program (LEAP) | Legal StudiesProgram | Pre-Law
Henry Ford Community College (Dearborn)*Associate in Business | Paralegal Studies
Lansing Community College (Lansing)*Associate in Business | ParalegalPost Baccalaureate Certificate | Paralegal
Macomb Community College (Warren)*Associate of Applied Science | Legal Assistant
Madonna University (Livonia)*Bachelor of Science | Paralegal StudiesAssociate of Science | Paralegal StudiesPost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Paralegal StudiesPost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Nurse Paralegal
Michigan State University (East Lansing)Master of Legal Studies
Mid Michigan College (Harrison)Certificate | Legal Office Specialist
Monroe Community College (Monroe)Certificate | Paralegal Studies
North Central Michigan College (Petoskey)Associate of Applied Science | Legal AssistantCertificate of Development | Legal Assistant
Northern Michigan University (Marquette)Associate of Applied Science | ParalegalBachelor of Arts | ParalegalPost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Paralegal
Oakland Community College (Bloomfield Hills)*Associate of Applied Science | ParalegalPost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Professional Paralegal
Oakland University (Rochester)*Certificate | ParalegalProgram | Pre-Law Studies
Washtenaw Community College (Ann Arbor)Associate in Arts | Paralegal Studies/Pre-Law
Wayne County Community College District (Detroit)Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Technology
Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo)Minor | Legal Studies
*Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA)
Additional Resources
NALS of Michigan – Affiliated with the National Association of Legal Assistants, NALS of Michigan is committed to helping area paralegals network and continue their education, while promoting national certification.
State Bar of Michigan – Provides education, information, and analysis to attorneys and paralegals in the state of Michigan.
References:1. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2018 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm2. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm
