Loyola University Chicago

Institute for Paralegal Studies

About Us

Since 1991, Loyola’s Institute for Paralegal Studies has offered a post-baccalaureate paralegal certificate approved by the American Bar Association.

The primary goal of the Institute is to prepare students to support attorneys in 21st century sophisticated legal practices. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as authorized by law.

Loyola’s curriculum has breadth and depth. Also, Institute courses emphasize the technological skills required in today’s law offices, including the extensive use of online resources and several popular software programs.

The Institute is an active participant in the local legal community and a member of the Illinois Paralegal Association, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, the International Practice Management Association, the Association of Legal Administrators, and the American Association for Paralegal Education.

Mission Statement
The Institute for Paralegal Studies supports Loyola's mission of promoting knowledge in the service of humanity by educating students to work as competent, effective assistants to lawyers. We believe that rigorous, comprehensive academic instruction, not merely vocational training, is essential for a paralegal to develop critical and ethical judgment. We also seek to promote the professionalism of paralegals, extending their capacity for service to the legal community and ultimately contributing to the advancement of justice in American society.

Institute Students

Institute students have various backgrounds: they may be recent college graduates, employees in law offices, or career changers. Some are considering law or graduate school. Others plan to use their legal knowledge in their business careers.

While the average age of our students is 27, we have students in their early 20s and late 60s; pursuing their paralegal studies to enhance or change their career path 

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