Legal Studies A.A.S. - Career Degree - College of Lake County

Start your career in the legal field

Use your curiosity, thirst for facts and eye for detail to pursue a rewarding career in the legal profession.

An Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree takes 4-5 semesters if you study full-time and a bit longer if you go part-time. Learn to perform substantive and procedural legal work as a paralegal under the supervision of an attorney. Assist attorneys with efficient and cost-effective legal services in different areas of public and private law.

At CLC, you enjoy quick job placement, in some cases even before you graduate. Gain “real-world” experience from fieldwork and prepare for your job search. You learn:

entry-level paralegal knowledge, skills and professional ethics
standard technical procedures used by entry-level paralegals working in a variety of legal practice settings
legal and ethical issues that determine appropriate actions in a variety of situations
legal research: plan and report findings in a format appropriate to the practice setting

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

ABA-Approved

We are an American Bar Association (ABA) Approved Paralegal Education Program. This is a national credential that only 25% of paralegal education programs nationwide hold. This gives you access to an elite, nationally recognized program.

What can you do with an A.A.S. in Legal Studies?

Start your career as an entry-level paralegal in local law offices, government agencies and corporations. Entry-level paralegals advance in their careers after the first two years, and over time, many end up as law office managers and legal staff supervisors.

With an A.A.S., you may take advantage of our transfer agreements with schools such as Loyola University, Roosevelt University and Dominican University. Complete a bachelor’s degree to expand your career options or prepare for law school. About 20% of our graduates complete law school to become lawyers.

Legal Studies program stated goals and objectives

Graduating students will have the knowledge, skills and professional ethics expected of an entry-level paralegal.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the legal process and the ability to follow the standard technical procedures utilized by entry-level paralegals working in a variety of legal practice settings.
Graduates will be able to identify the legal and ethical issues that guide paralegal conduct and determine appropriate actions in a variety of situations.
Graduates will be able to carry out a legal research plan.

Highlights

Earn a nationally-recognized credential

CLC is the only Illinois school to sponsor all qualified graduating students to take the Paralegal Core Competency Exam.
American Bar Association-Approved Paralegal Program

The only ABA-approved paralegal education program in Lake County.
100% Online

Can be completed 100% online.
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.
Career Degree

Earn an associate degree in 2 years and gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills.
Program Length: 2 Years

Full-time students finish in 2 years.

Career Outlook

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $52,249
  
  Median
  
  $103,631
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $219,337
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $25.12
  
  Median
  
  $49.81
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $105.44
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  8.93%
  
  Certificate
  
  6.72%
  
  Some college
  
  1.27%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  5.33%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  63.38%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  14.38%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Perform clerical duties for courts of law, municipalities, or governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. May prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges and court; prepare draft agendas or bylaws for town or city council; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; issue licenses or permits; and record data, administer tests, or collect fees.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $34,499
  
  Median
  
  $55,618
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $96,807
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $16.58
  
  Median
  
  $26.73
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $46.54
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  52.49%
  
  Certificate
  
  2.44%
  
  Some college
  
  17.69%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  13.12%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  10.86%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  3.4%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Process new insurance policies, modifications to existing policies, and claims forms. Obtain information from policyholders to verify the accuracy and completeness of information on claims forms, applications and related documents, and company records. Update existing policies and company records to reflect changes requested by policyholders and insurance company representatives.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $38,957
  
  Median
  
  $49,240
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $76,363
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $18.73
  
  Median
  
  $23.67
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $36.71
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  55.31%
  
  Certificate
  
  7.64%
  
  Some college
  
  9.33%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  21.13%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  6.58%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Assist judges in court or by conducting research or preparing legal documents.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $55,324
  
  Median
  
  $80,396
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $119,913
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $26.59
  
  Median
  
  $38.65
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $57.65
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  7.16%
  
  Certificate
  
  2.18%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  18.57%
  
  Doctorate
  
  72.08%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $69,121
  
  Median
  
  $142,973
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $355,647
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $33.23
  
  Median
  
  $68.73
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $170.98
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Master's Degree
  
  67.83%
  
  Doctorate
  
  32.18%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $41,446
  
  Median
  
  $65,511
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $106,876
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $19.92
  
  Median
  
  $31.49
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $51.38
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  3.42%
  
  Certificate
  
  7.25%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  50.23%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  39.1%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $35,472
  
  Median
  
  $55,435
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $84,261
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $17.05
  
  Median
  
  $26.65
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $40.51
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  60.33%
  
  Certificate
  
  13.39%
  
  Some college
  
  0.59%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  12.29%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  13.4%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Recommended Pathway

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.

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Legal Studies at CLC

Get the bigger picture

An A.A.S. is just one possible way to study Legal Studies. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Legal Studies Program Overview

Frequently asked questions

At CLC, you are at one of only a few schools that sponsor their students for the national Core Registered Paralegal credential. The CLC pass rate is significantly higher (+30%) than the national average.
In our Seminar course, you create a comprehensive digital portfolio of sample work, and are prepared for the national Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCE).
Our student profile is varied. Most of our students are nontraditional and have a bachelor’s degree or higher. A smaller group has an associate degree as their highest level of education.
Most of your classmates are adult learners who have jobs and families and who tend to complete the program by taking one or two classes a semester.
Like many of our other students, you may prefer classes offered virtually in Zoom (synchronous) and fully online (asynchronous).
While all classes are offered virtually, you may enjoy coming to campus for special events that we host where we bring in members from the legal community and paralegal leaders to enhance your knowledge about career options and legal issues.
Our program is ABA-approved
Only about 25% of programs nationwide carry this approval. It demonstrates that we meet the ABA Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education, which is seen as the highest standard in paralegal education.
PCC Exam support
We are one of only a very few programs in the entire nation that prepare, support and pay for our graduating students to take the national Paralegal Core Competency Exam.
Interview prep included
We use special interviewing skills software to prepare students for employment interviews as part of the curriculum in our program.
Earn National Technology Certifications as part of your program
Our students earn certifications in law office technology and e-discovery through the National Society for Legal Technology (NSLT) as part of our curriculum.
Lawyers and judges teach our courses
All of our classes are taught by lawyers and judges who have experience in the fields that they teach.
Real-world experience built-in
We place every student for field work before graduation. We include instruction on preparing resumes, job search skills and networking as part of our classes. We don’t wait until you graduate to begin working on gaining professional employment.
Our grad surveys indicate a 100% satisfaction rate with our program. Here’s what they say:
- Former students praise our faculty for support beyond the classroom. Frequent comments tell us how much our students feel that the faculty truly care about them and their success.
- We receive many messages of appreciation for the work we do to ensure they are prepared for their careers and help them get jobs and welcome them into the legal profession.
- Survey responses include deep gratitude for the resources and opportunities provided to them and attribute their success to the professionalism of our instructors.
- Students say they really enjoyed the experience of conducting a mock trial in our litigation class. They also often say how the exact questions they practiced in our Interview Skills modules are the ones they are asked in interviews and directly lead to getting job offers.
- Students also consistently say how their fieldwork experience directly led to their first job in the legal field.
- Most often, students talk about the relationships they have with our instructors and the lasting professional connections they developed while attending CLC.
- We often hear that students are excited by learning how the legal system works and they enjoy the challenge of conducting research and role-playing to make arguments and solve legal reasoning exercises. From there, they pursue their specific interests such as immigration law, criminal law, family law, real estate and business law.
- Many students also enjoy learning the technology and applications used to organize and distill mass amounts of information.
Yes, this program can be completed 100% online.
Study from your home or office. Online classes may meet at a specified time over Zoom—called “synchronous” because everyone shows up for class at the same time. Other online classes are more independent, with class materials (lectures, readings, discussions and assignments) released for you to work through when it fits your schedule. These are called “asynchronous” because you don’t have a common class time.
The ABA guidelines require you to complete at least 9 credit hours in a synchronous (real-time) format. You attend real-time class sessions held virtually using Zoom for these courses:
- Intro to Legal Studies
- Legal Research and Writing
- Litigation
Your other classes offer a mix of opportunities for short Zoom class meetings and fully online (asynchronous) courses.

Elizabeth Cannon
Graduate
“At CLC, I didn’t just learn from instructors but from industry professionals. They know what employers are looking for, and they teach with that mindset.”
Elizabeth was a Legal Studies student at CLC. She then earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College of Missouri and a law degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Read Elizabeth's story

*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

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Legal Studies

Start your career in the legal field

ABA-Approved

What can you do with an A.A.S. in Legal Studies?

Legal Studies program stated goals and objectives

Highlights

Earn a nationally-recognized credential

American Bar Association-Approved Paralegal Program

100% Online

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Career Degree

Program Length: 2 Years

Career Outlook

Compliance Managers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Court, Municipal, and License Clerks

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Judicial Law Clerks

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Lawyers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

Legal Studies at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

What exams will I qualify for after I complete the program?

Are there students like me in the program?

How is my learning experience going to be different compared to other colleges?

Our program is ABA-approved

PCC Exam support

Interview prep included

Earn National Technology Certifications as part of your program

Lawyers and judges teach our courses

Real-world experience built-in

What do other students highlight about the program?

Can I complete this program 100% online?

Elizabeth Cannon

Take the next step...

Be debt-free at CLC

Explore careers

Request info

Get started