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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.
Article Table of Contents
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 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 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 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 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
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 |
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:| 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, IN | 140 | $50,170 | $24.12 | $77,150 | $36,120 |
| Columbus, IN | 40 | $48,120 | $23.13 | $60,420 | $36,330 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 120 | $49,430 | $23.76 | $59,240 | $39,960 |
| Evansville, IN-KY | 240 | $50,560 | $24.31 | $75,250 | $35,970 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 440 | $55,010 | $26.45 | $77,010 | $38,060 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN | 2,560 | $63,160 | $30.37 | $90,650 | $41,330 |
| Kokomo, IN | 40 | $49,880 | $23.98 | $63,370 | $38,210 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 140 | $49,330 | $23.72 | $67,980 | $37,440 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 40 | $44,200 | $21.25 | $55,470 | $36,650 |
| Muncie, IN | 70 | $44,940 | $21.61 | $58,360 | $35,290 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 160 | $51,150 | $24.59 | $74,430 | $36,600 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 120 | $48,640 | $23.39 | $74,750 | $36,840 |
* 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.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Paralegal
Paralegal Schools by State