The University of Toledo offers one of the premier Paralegal Studies programs in the country and is approved by the ABA.

Paralegals support attorneys in their work. They research cases, prepare legal briefs and even interview clients and witnesses. Paralegals work in private law firms, corporate law departments, nonprofits and government agencies.

Legal & Paralegal Studies program offers a pathway to a legal career and is an outstanding pre-law track.

The Legal & Paralegal Studies Program is offered for paralegal education and provides coursework and practical experiences designed to develop the knowledge and communication skills necessary for contribution to the legal profession. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as provided by law. Students must take at least 9 semester credits of legal specialty courses through synchronous delivery (i.e., either through traditional face to face classroom instruction or interactive video technology instruction).

Learn more about the Legal and Paralegal Studies program.

Top Reasons to Study Legal and Paralegal Studies at UToledo

Distinguished paralegal program.

UToledo’s program is ABA-approved. Only about 20% of U.S. paralegal programs earn that distinction, which many employers prefer. 

Outstanding pre-law track.

Program graduates have done well in law school because they have an understanding of the legal system and good communication, logic and analytical skills. UToledo’s Legal & Paralegal Studies program helps students master all of these skills.

A one-of-a-kind courtroom/classroom.

UToledo is one of the only paralegal programs in the country with its own teaching courtroom. This state-of-the-art facility offers hands-on training in courtroom technology and includes:

• Laptops loaded with litigation, law practice management and other software
• Flat-screen monitors in the jury box, counsel tables, witness stand and bench
• A classroom integrated audio-video system capable of providing live lectures for remote students, video conferencing, and recorded lectures
• Digital content provisions for a more immersive court experience or teaching environment
• Autonomous camera providing unmanned video tracking of lecturers

Experiential learning.

• Unique criminal forensics and trial practice class. This popular, hands-on course is the first of its kind in the country. The class is a collaboration between paralegal studies and UToledo’s criminal justice program. Students are placed on prosecution and defense teams and assigned as crime scene investigators, paralegals and attorneys. They investigate a homicide and conduct a jury trial.
• Nationally-recognized mock trial team. Join this competitive, prestigious team that sets UToledo’s paralegal studies program apart. The mock trial team has been national champion 10 times and qualified for the finals 13 times.

Expert faculty.

UToledo Paralegal Studies courses combine legal theory and practical "how-to" techniques. They are taught by lawyers and judges who specialize and publish in the areas they teach.