As of May 2020, there were 10,790 paralegal jobs in Ohio, and the average salary for these legal professionals was $49,720, or $23.90 per hour. The top earners in this field (top 10%) enjoyed salaries of more than $77,050.
Paralegals are highly valued not just in law firms, but also in corporations, government agencies, court systems, insurance companies, real estate firms, and beyond. From healthcare to manufacturing, Ohio is home to many major corporations, including 25 Fortune 500 companies in 2020. Just some of the corporate powerhouses headquartered here include Big Lots, Kroger, and Proctor and Gamble.
Paralegal Certification
There is no mandatory paralegal certification in the state of Ohio; however, the Ohio State Bar Association does offer a voluntary program for individuals who wish to be officially designated OSBA Certified Paralegals. Candidates must first meet the definition of paralegal, pass an exam and meet additional requirements pertaining to education and experience.
Where to Earn Your Paralegal Certificate or Degree in Ohio
Paralegal Certificates
Capital University Law School
A private institution located in Columbus, Capital University offers a post-baccalaureate certificate for paralegals through its law school. This program is offered on a trimester basis with courses held two evenings a week and on Saturdays, as well as through an intensive 14-week course of study during the summer. Students gain both practical and theoretical knowledge, receive exposure to working paralegals in numerous fields and learn the technical skills necessary to work and advance in a modern legal environment. Capital also offers a Legal Nurse Consultant program.
- Estimated Program Cost: $10,290 (based on 2013 published rate)
- Prerequisite: Bachelor’s degree
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus
Sample required courses:
- Paralegal Practice
- Legal Research and Writing I & II
- Civil Litigation I
- Probate and Estate Planning
- Real Property
University of Cincinnati Clermont
The University of Cincinnati Clermont is located approximately 25 miles east of Cincinnati in Batavia. Its 33-credit post-baccalaureate paralegal certificate program is designed to prepare students for entry-level paralegal careers by teaching legal research and writing skills, application and analysis of the law and the use of modern technology in facilitating the duties of paralegals. Former students have gone on to work in corporate environments, successful law firms and credit agencies, and interested applicants can read numerous success stories on the university’s website. Classes are held in the evenings, on weekends and during the day and are taught by licensed, practicing attorneys; the school also offers free tutors to assist students. In addition to this certificate program, the University of Cincinnati Clermont offers an Associate of Applied Business degree in paralegal studies.
- Estimated Program Cost: $7,194 for state residents; $16,929 for out-of-state students (based on 2013-2014 per credit tuition)
- Prerequisites: Bachelor’s Degree, minimum 2.5 GPA
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus (As of 2013, the University of Cincinnati Clermont is developing online paralegal courses.)
Paralegal Associate Degrees
Columbus State Community College
The faculty of the Paralegal Studies Department at Columbus State Community College bring real-world experience as attorneys, paralegals, government officials and judges to the classroom. This institution’s Associate Of Applied Science in paralegal studies is a 65-credit hour program that promotes critical thinking and includes coursework in areas such as legal research and writing, the role of a paralegal, ethics, litigation, preparation of legal documents and numerous types of law. Both day and evening classes are offered, and students can benefit from tutoring, a student paralegal association and internship opportunities.
- Estimated Program Cost: $8,619 for state residents; $19,090 for out-of-state students; $22,908 for international students (based on 2013-2014 per-credit tuition)
- Prerequisites: Columbus State Community College has an open admissions policy.
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus of hybrid: on campus/online
Sample required courses:
- Law Office Technology
- Legal Research & Writing
- Family Law
- Business Organizations
National College (Dayton Area Campus)
National College has been recognized as a military-friendly college, and it offers flexible learning options for military members and civilians alike, including a paralegal associate degree at its Dayton Area campus in Kettering, Ohio. Both day and evening classes are offered, and graduates can benefit from tuition-free refresher courses.
- Estimated Program Cost: $30,432 (based on 2013- 2014 per credit hour tuition)
- Requirements: High school diploma or GED
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus
Sample required courses:
- Wills, Probates, and Trusts
- Legal Office Procedures
- Torts and Personal Injury
- Pretrial Discovery and Trial Preparation
Paralegal Bachelor’s Degrees
Lake Erie College
A four-year college in Painesville, near the shores of Lake Erie, Lake Erie College (LEC) offers a Bachelor of Science in legal studies. This program offers a solid liberal arts foundation, along with educating students in the processes and principles of the law, legal research, criminal law and constitutional law, as well as the practical skills of a paralegal. In addition to this stand-alone degree, the school partners with Duquesne University Law School (DULS) to offer a 3+3 program in which students complete three years at LEC, followed by three years at DULS. After the fourth year, students have a bachelor’s degree; they are awarded a Juris Doctor upon completion of the sixth year.
- Estimated Program Cost: $103,904 (based on 2013-2014 per semester tuition rates for full-time students)
- Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED; 2.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale; SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus
Sample required courses:
- Introduction to Legal Assisting
- Principles of Legal Research & Writing
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Ethics
The University of Toledo
One of the many advantages when pursuing your Bachelor of Science in paralegal studies at the University of Toledo is that courses are taught in the McQuade Courtroom, a combination of a mock trial courtroom and a high-tech classroom. Students can benefit from internships in corporate legal departments, county prosecutor’s offices, government agencies and law offices, as well as take part in a mock trial team. Legal Assistant Today named this university’s program as one of their top six.
- Estimated Program Cost: $88,314 for state residents; $135,006 for out-of-state students (based on 2013-2014 per year tuition and mandatory fees)
- Prerequisites: College preparatory coursework (see the school’s admissions requirements for details); passing score on the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT); GPA of at least 2.5, ACT score of at least 19 or SAT score of at least 910
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus
Sample required courses:
- Introduction to Law
- Civil Procedure
- Tort Law
- Legal Research, Writing & Case Analysis
- Advocacy: Mock Trial
- Practices & Procedures in Administrative Law
Additional Paralegal Educational Programs
Capital University Law School
Columbus, OH
Degree Offered: Post-Baccalaureate CertificateColumbus State Community College
Columbus, OH
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science, Post-Baccalaureate CertificateCuyahoga Community College
Parma, OH
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Business, Post-Degree CertificateEdison Community College
Piqua, OH
Degrees offered: Associate of Applied Business, CertificateFortis College (Formerly RETS College)
Centerville, OH
Degree Offered: Associate DegreeKent State University
Kent, OH
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts and Post-Baccalaureate CertificateLakeland Community College
Kirtland, OH
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Business, CertificateRhodes State College (formerly Lima Technical College)
Lima, OH
Degrees Offered: Associate Degree, Post-Baccalaureate CertificateSinclair Community College
Dayton, OH
Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science – ParalegalUniversity of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH
Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Minor, Post-Baccalaureate CertificateUniversity of Cincinnati Clermont
Batavia, OH
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Business, Post-Degree CertificateThe University of Toledo
Toledo, OH
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Nurse Paralegal CertificateUrsuline College
Pepper Pike, OH
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts, Post-Degree Certificate
Professional Organizations
- Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) offers a voluntary Paralegal Certification Program. Membership in this organization is open to both paralegal students and practicing paralegals, and those who join can take three continuing legal education courses free of charge each year.
- The Cleveland Association of Paralegals, Inc. (CAP) is affiliated with both the National Federation of Paralegal Professionals (NFPA) and the Cleveland Metro Bar Association (CMBA). Its purpose is to advance continuing education and the role of the paralegal in executing legal services, as well as allow paralegals to keep up to date with the rapid growth and technological changes in various legal sectors.
- The Paralegal Association of Central Ohio (PACO) promotes the interests of paralegals and cultivates networking within the paralegal community. PACO paralegal members are members of NFPA and have access to educational seminars. They also receive subscriptions to the “National Paralegal Reporter,” published by NFPA, as well as “Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly” and the Friday edition of “Daily Reporter,” central Ohio’s legal publication.
- The Paralegal Association of Northwest Ohio (PANO) promotes the utilization of paralegals, provides continuing legal education and opportunities for professional development, addresses professional and ethical issues facing the profession and offers leadership, networking and mentoring programs. PANO funds an annual scholarship for paralegal studies students at the University of Toledo, and members of this organization have access to a job bank.
2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and job market trends for paralegals reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2022.