Paralegal

The Associate of Science in Paralegal is designed to provide graduates with a broad-based understanding of the core areas of law and the court system, including terminology used in the legal system and how to understand legal documents, contracts, and other legal material. Graduates are prepared to draft routine pleadings and other legal documents, interview clients, conduct independent research of non-legal matters and simple legal questions, and draft legal memoranda.

The coursework and instructors will prepare graduates to take the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), and other legal organizations. We offer one of the first DEAC Accredited, ABA approved online paralegal programs. Paralegals play a crucial role in the practice of the legal profession. While attorneys are ultimately responsible for legal work, paralegals complete many key tasks in the preparation of cases and documents.

Program outcomes. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Understand the education and training required of a paralegal and recognize the guidelines and ethical responsibilities of the profession and the importance of legal research and writing.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the history, origin and structure of the American legal system, identify and use major tools, software, and sources of American law.
• Explain the difference between criminal and civil law and interpret various categories of civil law, such as torts, contract law, corporate law, property law, family law, and wills and estates.
• Draft basic legal documents such as complaints, answers, and contracts, interview clients, conduct independent research of non-legal matters and simple legal questions, and draft legal memoranda.

Remember: paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Your learning experience.

• Have the opportunity to earn their Lexis+ Paralegal Certificate as part of the PLG207 Legal Research and Writing course.
• Students may also take an optional 120-hour externship at a local business or organization.
• You can take all your required paralegal classes online with videoconferencing. Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
• American National University is an institutional member of AAfPE (American Association for Paralegal Education).

All-inclusive tuition. ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable).

Refresher privilege. As part of our commitment to keeping graduates' skills and training up to date, the University allows its graduates to return at any time to retake courses in their respective fields, subject to availability. No tuition fees will be charged for this benefit; graduates will be responsible for any additional costs associated with books, equipment, or third-party testing fees.

To be admitted to any undergraduate (i.e., associate or baccalaureate) program at the University, applicants must show a completed high school (or equivalent level) education, met through a completed high school education, a completed home school education program at the high school level, or an earned GED or other state-authorized high school equivalency examination. Applicants may also qualify with an official transcript showing any degree earned at the associate level or higher, or at least 60 semester credits (90 quarter credits) that count toward a baccalaureate degree. All undergraduate students must complete placement evaluations in English and mathematics before beginning classes (students entering a healthcare program also complete a science placement evaluation).

Applicants must pass the placement exams with 85% in English and 65% in Math, unless the exams are waived by transfer credit or a prior degree. Applicants may retake each exam up to two additional times (waiting seven calendar days between attempts).

For the convenience of its students, the University operates on a quarter-based schedule with year-round classes. Students may begin their programs at any of the starting dates during the year.

Full-time undergraduate students enroll in at least 12 credit hours per 10-week term. This typically includes three different 4-credit courses offered across either 5-week or 10-week sessions.

The University courses use both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on-demand) interactions. Courses are delivered online (delivered through Canvas with scheduled Global Learn™ sessions) and through hybrid instruction (combining online coursework with required in-person residencies).

Students attend a live session at specific times and days each week through video conferencing. Many classes offer scheduling options to meet different circumstances, such as frequency of meetings, daytime meetings, evenings, and weekends.

Students are expected to treat class meetings via video conferencing (Global Learn) as if attending a class on campus. Throughout the program, students will find that many classes require attendance at live sessions. Whether the PLG course is delivered in a physical classroom or via Global Learn, paralegal students enrolled in a class with required live class sessions are expected to attend each live session. Unless otherwise stated in your course, students who miss more than two hours (120 minutes) of total combined class meetings will receive an F grade.

Upcoming start dates: November 15, 2026; January 3, 2027; February 7, 2027; March 21, 2027; April 25, 2027; June 6, 2027; July 11, 2027; August 22, 2027; September 26, 2027; November 7, 2027; December 12, 2027.

Tuition. Tuition is $345 per quarter credit hour; for the 92 credit hours this program requires, total program tuition is $31,740. Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis and billed each academic term. All textbooks are included in the student's tuition.

All-inclusive pricing. ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable). The University's all-inclusive pricing provides the equipment needed to complete all coursework; some items are loaned and must be returned within 15 days after graduation or withdrawal.

Fees applicable to all students. Transcript fee $10 (first copy free); returned check/declined credit card fee $25; transaction chargeback 10% + $15; diploma reprint $50; duplicate ID $10; experiential learning evaluation $50 per course; challenge exams $50 per exam. Fees are non-refundable after 5 calendar days from enrollment.

Estimated annual cost of attendance (three terms). Tuition: review program cost. Food and Housing $9,344 (living with parent/guardian) or $9,312 (not living with parent/guardian); Transportation $2,864; Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $936; Personal Expenses $2,752 or $4,816.

Payment. All students must pay tuition in full before the term begins, unless they are enrolled in a program with limited seats. Students using federal aid or loans must have all forms completed and payment schedules finalized before the term starts; students using employer, Veterans Education Benefits, or other third-party tuition assistance must have an approved contract on file for delayed payment.

Federal aid. Students seeking to participate in federal and/or most state financial aid programs must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); ANU's school code is 003726. Federally funded aid available to eligible students includes the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Work-Study.

Military and veterans. American National University is approved by the State Approving Agency for the education and training of eligible veterans and their dependents. Military education benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill®, the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program and Military Tuition Assistance; ANU's Blue Ribbon Grant provides up to 35% of the total amount paid toward direct educational costs (up to $18,000) after military education benefits are exhausted.

Institutional grants. ANU institutional aid includes the Business Partnership Grant, President's Grant, Private Loan Supplemental Grant, Refer a Friend Grant ($750), Workforce Development Grant, University Transfer Grant and ANU Legacy Merit Scholarship, each subject to its eligibility terms and available funding.

Net price calculator. Estimate your yearly cost with ANU's net price calculator: https://an.edu/admissions/financial-assistance/net-price-va/

Where could your degree take you?

• Paralegal

Certifications and licensure.

• Lexis+ Paralegal Certificate (part of PLG207)
• Prepares for the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential (NALA)

Student outcomes.

• DEAC Student Achievement Disclosure (published 6/16/2026), 2025 graduation rates: Associate of Science in Paralegal: 39% graduation rate for the 2/1/22-1/31/23 start cohort (24 graduates; median 1.9 years to complete).

High Tech, High Touch. Our eLearning environment utilizes advanced technology for a highly interactive experience. We offer much more than simply an "online degree", but rather a holistic educational experience combining multiple modes of course delivery with comprehensive financial aid, student services, library resources, and career services support.

Global Meet. Access to education and career counseling services from anywhere is a key component of our Global eUniversity: admission counseling, student services, financial aid planning, career counseling and academic advising through live video, live chat, phone, email, web portal, or in person at one of our learning sites.

Global Teach. We provide educational services at the university level anywhere you are located: through e-books, virtual labs, online research libraries and databases.

Global Learn. eLearning takes the distance out of "distance learning" by providing the environment we're famous for through online delivery combining Canvas LMS (learning management system) with Global Learn Video Conferencing. For certain healthcare programs, such as our medical assisting and pharmacy technician programs, each student is provided with a lab kit, with which they complete assignments while under the watchful eyes of their instructors.