How to Become a Paralegal in Indiana

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How to Become a Paralegal in Indiana

Paralegals are an integral part of the legal system.

If you have chosen to become one, you are starting down a rewarding path that allows you to reap many benefits.

Before you jump in head first, knowing what to expect and what steps to take to achieve success is vital.

This guide provides crucial information to help as well as five great educational programs to give you a head start.

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Licensing Requirements to Become a Paralegal in Indiana

The state of Indiana has no set requirements or regulations for paralegals, so you do not have to be licensed or certified to work in the state.

However, most reputable employers look for paralegals that have education and experience, so they often have their own requirements.

5 Paralegal Schools in Indiana

Below are five of the top paralegal programs in Indiana.

1. Indiana University

Indiana University Logo

Indiana University offers a paralegal certificate program in the evenings that requires 21 credit hours to complete.

You can take up to two and a half years to obtain these credits or you can choose an accelerated path that you can complete in one year.

Tuition can get a bit tricky at Indiana University, but that is because there are many scholarships and assistance programs to help.

At a minimum, you can expect to pay around $235.59 per credit hour if you are an in-state student and $340.92 per credit hour if you’re an out-of-state student.

That puts the minimum expected cost to be $4,947.39 for in-state students and $7,159.32 for out-of-state students – not including books, fees, and other expenses.

2. Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College Logo

Ivy Tech Community College offers several types of paralegal programs to choose from, including:

  • Certificate program that requires 18 credit hours or two semesters to complete
  • A technical certificate that requires 31 credit hours or three semesters to complete
  • Associate’s degree that requires 60 credit hours or four semesters to complete

Tuition varies, depending on several factors, including whether you are a full-time or part-time student.

Part-time students are those that take less than 12 credit hours per semester.

Full-time students are those that take 12 credit hours or more per semester.

In-state part-time students pay $149.55 per credit hour.

Full-time in-state students pay a flat rate of $2,243.25 per semester.

This makes the in-state tuition range anywhere from $5,383.80 for the certificate program to $8,973 for the Associate’s program.

Part-time out-of-state students pay $292.57 per credit hour.

Full-time out-of-state students pay a flat rate of $4,388.55 per semester.

This brings the out-of-state student total to range between $5,266.26 for the certificate and $17,554.20 for the Associate’s program.

3. Marian University

Marian University Logo

Marian University offers an online Associate degree for paralegals that is dedicated to getting students started on their career paths quickly.

It requires a total of 66 credit hours that are completed over five-week courses.

Students can complete the entire program in as little as 14 months.

Tuition costs $415 per credit hour, which comes to a total of $27,390 – not including books, fees, and additional expenses.

4. Saint-Mary-Of-the-Woods College

Saint-Mary-Of-the-Woods College Logo

Saint-Mary-Of-the-Woods College offers three different options for aspiring paralegals.

You can choose between a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies, an Associate program, and a certificate program.

If you have completed your general education courses, the Bachelor’s degree requires an additional 51 credit hours and the Associate’s degree requires an additional 45 credit hours.

The certificate program requires a total of 36 credit hours.

Depending on the program you choose, you can complete your education in as little as one year and as many as four years.

Tuition is $496 per credit hour, leading to a total tuition range of $17,856 to $25,296 – not including required general education courses for the Bachelor’s and Associate’s programs.

5. Ball State University

Ball State University Logo

If a four-year degree program suits you, Ball State University offers a Bachelor’s Major in Legal Studies.

It requires a total of 72 credit hours after general education credits.

Ball State’s tuition varies and is cheaper per credit hour when you take more classes per semester.

In-state students taking less than 12 credits per term can expect an estimated cost of $326 per credit hour.

More than 12 credits get a flat rate of $4,217 per term.

This brings in-state student tuition to a range of $23,472 to $33,736.

Out-of-state students taking less than 12 credits per term typically pay $1,085 per credit hour.

More than 12 credits cost a flat rate of $12,959 per term.

This brings out-of-state student tuition to a range of $78,120 to $103,672.

These costs assume your general education prerequisites are met and do not include books, fees, and additional expenses.

Paralegal Schools in Indiana – Summary Table

School Name Address
Indiana University 107 S Indiana Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405
Ivy Tech Community College 50 Walnut St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
Marian University 3200 Cold Spring Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46222
Saint-Mary-Of-the-Woods College 1 St Mary of Woods Coll, St Mary-Of-The-Woods, IN 47876
Ball State University 2000 W University Ave, Muncie, IN 47306
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Salary

As a paralegal in Indiana, you’re joining a good company financially speaking.

Most paralegals in the state make between $51,970 and $66,350, but the average is approximately $58,765.

Annual Salary Range:
$52K
$58K
$66K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Indianapolis $58,687
Fort Wayne $56,269
Evansville $57,009
South Bend $56,872
Gary $60,721
Hammond $60,721
Bloomington $55,559
Muncie $55,635
Anderson $55,853
Terre Haute $55,376

Regional Salary in Indiana

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Bloomington, IN120$49,390$23.74$78,830$34,060
Columbus, IN40$43,930$21.12$58,830$31,710
Elkhart-Goshen, IN220$48,040$23.1$58,270$32,910
Evansville, IN-KY240$47,390$22.78$75,650$30,290
Fort Wayne, IN450$52,320$25.16$75,120$35,210
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN2,410$61,750$29.69$89,410$38,480
Kokomo, IN50$48,930$23.53$65,000$36,130
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN110$49,210$23.66$68,350$35,440
Michigan City-La Porte, IN50$46,060$22.15$64,790$30,130
Muncie, IN70$40,100$19.28$46,260$30,530
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI200$50,120$24.1$74,540$35,220
Terre Haute, IN130$45,380$21.82$76,660$30,310
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, OCC Code 23-2011, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I become certified if it’s not required in Indiana?

It really is up to you, but it can definitely give you some advantages in your career.

There are many good organizations that hire paralegals in Indiana, including the CBS Office, Franklin Electric, Allstate Corporate, and Liberty Mutual.

Having an education and being certified can help you stand out among all of the other job applicants.

How can I get experience working as a paralegal in Indiana?

In most cases, your school will help you get the necessary experience.

If it does not, you can gain experience as a volunteer through the various local bar associations in Indiana and through Indiana Legal Services.

How do I get certified?

If you choose to get certified, you must first pass the PACE or the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam.

To sit for this exam, you need to have completed an educational program and have at least two years of experience as a paralegal.

USA Paralegal Schools by State


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