Best Online Paralegal Programs in Illinois (IL)

When most people think of the legal profession, they think of lawyers. However, the paralegals do the bulk of the legal heavy lifting. Lawyers may argue a case in a courtroom, but the paralegal usually does the legal research and helps gather the facts for the lawyer to use in court.

Because of their importance to lawyers, paralegals are well-compensated and in high demand. The average annual salary in Illinois is $63,590, and the projected 10-year growth rate for this profession is 14.4%. Read on to learn more about the types of paralegal programs in Illinois and the resources available to help you succeed.

Top Online Paralegal Degree Programs in Illinois

Illinois’s online and hybrid paralegal programs offer a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional in-person programs, catering mainly to busy professionals and those seeking convenience. Earning a paralegal degree online is possible, with many reputable institutions offering comprehensive online curricula.

Below is our ranking of the top online and hybrid paralegal certification programs in the state. Take a look and see if any of these programs are the right fit for you.

Southwestern Illinois College

The Associate of Applied Science in paralegal studies from Southwestern Illinois College is a two-year program with 64 credits. This program is different from many others with its accelerated degree option. Students with an associate or bachelor’s degree can graduate in about one year after taking 30 credits of major-related classes.

To meet its students’ unique professional and academic needs, Southwestern Illinois College offers classes online and on campus. Students also get to take two paralegal electives in practice areas such as family law, criminal law, employment law, bankruptcy, intellectual property, and estate planning.

Students who want to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree will appreciate the agreement Southwestern Illinois College has with neighboring four-year schools, in which students can transfer to those institutions, earn a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, and graduate in two years.

Elgin Community College

At Elgin Community College, paralegal students have two academic pathways to paralegal training. The fastest way is the paralegal certificate option, which consists of 24 credits and takes less than one year to complete. In addition to 18 credits of core classes, students will also complete six credits of paralegal electives.

Another option is to earn an associate degree along with a paralegal certificate. All paralegal-related class requirements can be completed in person during the day or online. The online classes are only available synchronously, with classes held in the evenings. Part of the curriculum includes a required in-person internship, although certain students with prior legal experience may be exempt from this requirement.

Upon graduation, students can transfer to an eligible four-year university to complete another two years of classes to earn a Bachelor of Arts in paralegal studies.

Types of Paralegal Degrees You Can Earn in Illinois

Most paralegal programs in Illinois offer a certificate or associate degree. However, there are some paralegal programs in Illinois that result in a bachelor’s degree. Regardless of your academic credential, you will have online and on-campus programs to choose from. Read on to learn why you might choose one type of credential over the other.

Undergraduate Paralegal Degrees in Illinois

Paying for Your Paralegal Degree in Illinois

If you’re set on becoming a paralegal but aren’t sure how to pay for your schooling, many financial aid options are available, including gift-based aid like scholarships. These scholarships are available from various sources, such as the schools offering the paralegal program. The College of DuPage and Loyola University Chicago are examples of two such schools. Private organizations and businesses, such as Lucas Law and the NFPA, also offer abundant scholarships to paralegal students. Even if you aren’t eligible for scholarships, often awarded based onacademic merit or financial need, you can also consider federal student loans.

Salary & Growth for Paralegal Grads in Illinois

The job market for prospective paralegals is promising. As mentioned, the estimated growth for this profession from 2020 to 2030 is expected to exceed 14% in Illinois. This is even more impressive when considering that the estimated growth rate for the country is expected to be 12%.

The annual mean salary for paralegals in Illinois is $63,590, which is also higher than the national average of $62,840. One reason is the higher wages paralegals in Chicago and other metropolitan areas can expect to earn. For example, the average annual wage for paralegals in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin region of the state is $65,450.

In addition to higher pay for paralegals, Chicago is one of the largest legal markets in the United States, so there will be more potential job options after completing a paralegal program in Chicago or surrounding areas. Paralegals interested in working in less urban areas can expect lower wages, but they’re still respectable. For instance, the average annual salary for the West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area is $44,450.

Illinois Paralegal Professional and Student Resources

• Illinois Paralegal Association
  The Illinois Paralegal Association (IPA) aims to promote the paralegal profession. To further this mission, members can learn about recent professional developments, complete continuing legal education courses, and participate in networking opportunities.
• Chicago Paralegal Association
  The Chicago Paralegal Association is the primary professional organization for paralegals in the Chicago area. Members include those interested in connecting with other paralegals and accessing the most up-to-date information on legislative activities relating to paralegal practice and changes in legal practice through completing continuing legal education (CLE) hours.
• Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
  The Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) exists to provide continuing legal education courses to attorneys. However, paralegal students have free access to the IICLE’s Formulaw and Online Library subscriptions.
• DuPage County Bar Association
  The DuPage County Bar Association is open to almost anyone interested in the legal profession. Lawyers, the public, law students, paralegal students, and other professionals can join. Individuals can join a committee, complete a CLE, or attend one of the many social events by becoming a member.
• Kane County Bar Association
  The Kane County Bar Association was established almost 200 years ago and serves as a professional legal organization for all legal professionals in Kane County, including paralegals.