Paralegal Programs in Oklahoma

The titles "legal assistant" and "paralegal" are considered synonymous in Oklahoma. There are no licensure or registration requirements for paralegals in Oklahoma. There are no paralegal education requirements for becoming a paralegal in Oklahoma. However, the Oklahoma Bar Association Paralegal Committee prepared a Minimum Qualification Standards for Legal Assistants/Paralegals position which was approved by the Board of Governors of the Oklahoma Bar Association. The standards were developed to provide educational and work experience baselines for employers to evaluate potential paralegals prior to hiring them. This tool can also be used by potential students to help determine which paralegal program will meet their personal and professional goals. Learn more below.

Paralegal Education Considerations

As mentioned above, the Oklahoma Bar Association Paralegal Committee and the Oklahoma Paralegal Association take a position on the minimum qualification standards for working as a paralegal in Oklahoma. These are no requirements to work as a paralegal in Oklahoma, but for the career minded professional that desires a long, financially and personally rewarding career as a paralegal these are important factors to consider when choosing a paralegal program to enroll in.

The Oklahoma Bar Association Paralegal Committee and the Oklahoma Paralegal Association consider a qualified paralegal to be one that:

  • Has completed and passed the NALA Certified Legal Assistant Exam (Learn about the CLA/CP Exam Eligibility)
  • Has completed and passed the NFPA PACE Exam (Read about the PACE exam eligibility)
  • Is a Graduate of any American Bar Association (ABA) Paralegal/Legal Assistant program
  • Is a high school graduate or equivalent and has graduated from a paralegal program that is institutionally accredited and in substantial compliance with ABA paralegal program approval guidelines. This includes there being at least 225 hours covering legal specialty courses.
  • Has a bachelor's or associate's in any subject from an institutionally accredited school and has two or more years of work experience in a law office or other entity where he/she has performed substantial legal work under the supervision of an attorney and that would otherwise have been conducted by the attorney or has completed the 225 specialty hours of legal specialty courses in line with the ABA's guidelines during their associate's or bachelor's education.
  • Has a high school diploma or equivalent and has graduated from a paralegal / legal assistant program offered at an institutionally accredited school that requires at least 60 semester hours and included the same amount of legal specialty course hours required by the ABA guidelines and two years of work experience in the same capacity as mentioned in the prior bullet point or posses a bachelor's or associate's degree.
  • Has a high school diploma or equivalent and five or more years of work experience in the same capacity as mentioned in the prior bullet point.

(Source: Oklahoma Paralegal Association Web site, www.okparalegal.org/standards.htm)

Choosing a paralegal program that has been ABA approved or Institutionally accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education provides a sense of confidence that the program is of high standards and will be recognized by employers as well as prepare them for one of the national certification exams. The American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE), an authority in paralegal education and well respected by paralegal associations across the country, recommends that potential paralegal program students attend an ABA approved paralegal program or a paralegal program offered at a school that has been accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or a program offered through one of their member schools. Read more about ABA and non-ABA approved paralegal programs.

Formal paralegal training or education has become a standard for the industry and those with a formal education will find the greatest career opportunities. Below you will find Online and Campus Based paralegal programs and schools that have been either institutionally accredited, ABA approved or are AAfPE member schools.

— Fully Accredited Criminal Justice Degree Programs —

Paralegal Degree Programs Offered Online in Oklahoma

star= Editor Recommended Program

starKaplan University - School of Legal Studies: The Paralegal Studies Department at Kaplan University, is nationally recognized and offers the top paralegal programs in the country, including one of the leading paralegal associate degree programs. Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Graduates with work experience are eligible to sit for the NFPA Pace exam.

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AAS in Paralegal Studies
BS in Paralegal Studies
Advanced Start in BS Paralegal Studies
Advanced Start in BS Legal Studies
BS in Legal Studies

starVirginia College: Virginia College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), which is an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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Associate's in Paralegal Studies

Colorado Technical University/Stonecliffe College: Stonecliffe College Online offers one of the most up to date and accredited paralegal associate degree programs in the country. Students are educated in document organization systems, handling document production, how to write legal correspondence and other relevant skills necessary for paralegal career preparation. Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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A.S. Paralegal Studies

George Washington University: This program is identical to the on-campus master's program offered at GW, but offered entirely online..

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Master of Professional Studies in Paralegal Studies

Hodges University: Graduates of the Paralegal program are eligible to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) exam.

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Associate's in Paralegal
Bachelor's in Legal Studies

Keiser University: E-Campus Online Programs. Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which is recognized as a national accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education.

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Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Legal Studies

Minnesota School of Business: Request information from the online paralegal program today. Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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Certificate in Paralegal
Associate's in Paralegal
Bachelor's in Paralegal

Post University: Post University is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), a national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Board of Education.

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Certificate in Paralegal Studies
Associate's in Legal Studies
Bachelor's in Legal Studies

Westwood College: You can earn an Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies in as little as 20 months. Westwood College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCS).

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Associate's in Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Degree Programs in Oklahoma - Campus Based

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Brown Mackie College: Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). ACICS is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education.

Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's, Bachelor's | Paralegal Assistant, Paralegal, Legal Studies

East Central University: ABA approved program and member school of the AAfPE

Programs Offered: Bachelor's | Legal Studies

1100 East 14th Street, PMB F-4
Ada, OK 74820
PH: 580-559-5603

Rose State College: ABA approved program and a member school of the AAfPE

Programs Offered: Associate's | Legal Assistant

6420 SE 15th Street
Midwest City, OK 73110
PH: 405-733-7460

University of Oklahoma Law Center: ABA approved program and a member school of the AAfPE

Programs Offered: Post-Secondary Certificate | Legal Assisting

300 Timberdell Room 314

Norman, OK 73019
PH: 405-325-4860

University of Tulsa: AAfPE member school and ABA approved program

Programs Offered: Post-Degree Certificate | Paralegal Studies

800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104-3189
PH: 918-631-2070

Tulsa Community College: AAfPE member school

Programs Offered: Associate's | Paralegal

909 S Boston-MC #425
Tulsa, OK 74119-2095
PH: 918-595-7317

Northeastern State University: Considered in substantial compliance with ABA paralegal program approval guidelines.

Programs Offered: Bachelor's | Paralegal Studies

600 N. Grand Ave.
Tahlequah, OK 74464
PH: 918-456-5511