The Best Paralegal Programs in Des Moines, Iowa

Paralegals or legal assistants play a crucial role in the legal industry, handling important tasks like legal research, document drafting, case management, and more under attorney supervision. As law firms and legal departments seek skilled paralegals to boost efficiency, demand for trained paralegals continues to grow. Luckily, Des Moines offers numerous high-quality paralegal programs to equip aspiring paralegals with the education and training needed to excel in this rewarding career.

Whether you prefer earning an Associate‘s degree, Bachelor‘s degree, post-degree certification or even a Master‘s in Legal Studies, there is an excellent program option available in Des Moines. Read on for an overview of the top paralegal schools in the area.

Drake University‘s Paralegal Education Program

As one of the most prestigious law schools in the Midwest region with recognition from multiple ranking authorities, it’s no surprise Drake University offers an excellent Paralegal Education Program for those seeking paralegal certification on an academic level.

The Basics

• Format: Post-baccalaureate certificate program
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Areas of Study: Corporate law, litigation, commercial transactions, legal research & writing
• Facilities: Law library, courtroom, and computer labs

Structured as a one-year certificate program for those who have already completed an undergraduate degree, Drake’s Paralegal Program curriculum covers essential topics like legal research and writing, litigation, contracts, corporate law, and regulation compliance.

Students take advantage of dedicated paralegal instructors and access to the University’s law library and facilities. With class sizes capped at 30, the program provides personalized attention tailored to professional paralegal skills. Graduates are well prepared when entering the job market thanks to the program’s strong professional development focus.

An Inside Look at Courses & Curriculum

• Introduction to Legal Concepts and Systems
• Legal Research & Writing
• Litigation & Trial Practice
• Contracts & Commercial Transactions
• Corporations & Business Structures
• Practical Paralegal Skills
• Internship Experiences

Success Stories

With a long history and over 1000 graduates, Drake’s Paralegal Program has plenty of impressive success stories. Here are just a couple examples of graduates using their education to launch paralegal careers:

Samantha L. successfully leveraged her internship experience to gain full-time employment with the prestigious Davis Brown Law Firm handling commercial transactions and litigation support.

Adam F. credits his training at Drake for securing his first paralegal job in corporate law. He has since earned multiple promotions and now leads his own paralegal team managing complex mergers & acquisitions deals for a Fortune 500 company.

Contact

Learn more and apply by visiting Drake University‘s website at https://www.drake.edu/law/academics/paralegal-education-certificate/.

DMACC‘s Paralegal Associate of Arts Degree

For an affordable and accelerated Associate Degree option, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) offers an excellent Paralegal/Legal Assistant Associate program to prepare students for entry-level paralegal positions in just 2 years.

Program Basics:

• Format: Associate of Arts Degree
• Duration: 2 years (4 semesters full-time)
• Courses: Offered on Ankeny and Urban campuses
• Faculty: Practicing paralegal instructors

The degree program includes a balanced curriculum with legal specialty courses and general education. Students take core classes covering legal research, litigation, contracts, probate, business organizations, family law, and more. The coursework provides broad exposure to different legal practice areas, while developing practical paralegal skills needed on the job.

Classes feature a practical focus with simulated projects and hands-on training in essential tools like Thomson Reuters Westlaw for legal research. Students also complete a 200 hour legal internship, gaining invaluable real-world experience that sets DMACC graduates apart when seeking employment.

Partnering for Student Success

A major advantage of DMACC’s program is the broad network of legal employers and partnerships enabling students to immerse themselves within Iowa’s legal community.

These include established pathways for paralegal internships and mentorship programs with leading Des Moines firms such as:

• Brick Gentry Law
• Finley Law
• Davis Brown Law Firm
• Belin McCormick Law

Mentor attorneys assist students as they apply classroom education to practical scenarios, while exploring different legal specialties. The connections made through these partnerships are invaluable when it comes time for graduates to launch their paralegal careers.

Getting Involved

Beyond the curriculum, DMACC has an active Paralegal Student Association club that organizes professional development and networking events. These include legal field trips, guest speakers, annual conferences attended by hundreds of legal professionals, and volunteering initiatives with local courts and legal nonprofits.

Contact:

Explore DMACC‘s Paralegal A.A. Degree at https://www.dmacc.edu/programs/Pages/program.aspx?k=3124&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=gmb&utm_campaign=ankeny.

Grand View University – Paralegal Studies Degree Pathway

Another affordable Des Moines-based school offering legal support training is Grand View University, through its customizable Bachelor of Arts in Social Science degree.

Students take core law-related and paralegal skills classes while tailoring over half their degree with additional legal specialty and elective courses matching career goals.

Degrees Offered:

• Bachelor of Arts in Social Science – Paralegal Studies Concentration Pathway
• Minors: Business Administration, Criminal Justice

What Sets Grand View‘s Program Apart?

• Customizable nature allows marrying paralegal training with complementary fields like business, HR, criminal justice based on interests
• Offers a Paralegal Studies scholarship for qualifying students
• Active membership with the American Alliance of Paralegals (AAPI)
• Partnership enables students to continue studies to earn a Master’s in Legal Studies (MLS) degree

Skills & Knowledge Gained

Grand View’s legal curriculum ensures graduates develop expertise in areas like:

• Legal research, writing, documentation
• Litigation preparation
• Law office administration basics
• Ethics of the legal profession

Getting Practical Experience

Students have opportunities to apply learning through simulated projects and a required legal internship, recent examples include:

• Drafting discovery documents for personal injury firm
• Creating estate planning documents with financial advisors
• Policy research at Iowa Legislative Services Bureau

These real-world experiences give students a taste for different legal roles, while showing employers evidence of relevant skills.

Continuing Your Paralegal Education

Thanks to an educational agreement with Concord University Law School, Grand View paralegal graduates can continue studies to earn a Master’s in Legal Studies degree built specifically for practicing paralegals looking to expand career opportunities.

Contact

Get in touch with Grand View to learn more about bachelor‘s degree options for aspiring paralegals at https://www.grandview.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/political-science-criminal-justice-and-legal-studies/legal-studies.

Kaplan University – Paralegal Degrees

Kaplan University offers flexible paralegal degree options tailored to help students balance life commitments while building essential skills through industry-aligned coursework, making it a compelling choice for many.

Degrees include:

• Paralegal Associate Degree
• Bachelor‘s Degrees
  • Paralegal Studies
  • Legal Studies
  • Legal Support & Services
  • Criminal Justice

Paralegals in Demand

The Des Moines metro is home to over 1100 law firms, legal departments, government agencies and other major employers of paralegals, according to recent industry research by Data USA. With the area projected to see 7% job growth for paralegals and legal assistants through 2026, graduates entering this career pathway can feel confident about local demand.

The expected statewide job openings in Iowa alone could total over 930 annually. Paralegal salaries in Des Moines tend to outpace national averages as well at $55,850 according to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

What Makes Kaplan‘s Program Unique

• Respected for paralegal curriculum aligned with industry standards from the American Bar Association and National Association of Legal Assistants
• Offers 100% online degree options combined with campus-based courses in Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Mason City
• Courses feature developing practical paralegal skills with web-based simulated law office software
• Credit for prior legal office experience or related credential

Degree Overview

Kaplan‘s structured programs combine paralegal skills and legal concepts training with general education. Students develop expertise in:

• Legal research, writing and technology
• Civil litigation and trial preparation
• Law office administration
• Ethical standards

Faculty Making an Impact

Kaplan‘s experienced faculty members include respected legal professionals like:

• Professor Karen Clevenger, J.D. with 20+ years in private practice and government legal roles, bringing practical insights to the classroom.
• Professor Kristy Alt, J.D., author of multiple paralegal textbooks guiding students nationally on navigating family law matters with empathy and precision.

Career Outcomes

The most recent figures from Kaplan University indicate strong employment outcomes for graduates of their Paralegal Studies degrees and certificates, with around 8 out of 10 landing paralegal or legal assistant roles.

Top companies hiring Kaplan paralegal grads in Iowa recently include Davis Brown Law Firm, Brick Gentry Law and the Polk County Attorney‘s Office.

Contact:

Get started on your path to an exciting paralegal career through Kaplan University. Explore program options at https://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/degree-programs/paralegal-studies/.

AIB College of Business – Paralegal and Legal Secretary Programs

For those interested in a focused education developing legal administration and paralegal skills from instructors with extensive field expertise, AIB College of Business offers both diploma and 2-year degree options.

Programs Offered

• Paralegal Diploma Program
• Paralegal Associate Degree
• Legal Secretary Diploma

The respected business college based in Des Moines has been training legal support professionals for over 60 years across its flexible day and evening course offerings.

What Students Gain

Through hands-on coursework centered around practical legal tasks in a simulated law firm environment, students build skills vital for succeeding in today‘s legal job market, including:

• Mastering digital tools used in law offices
• Client interaction etiquette
• Legal document preparation
• Vital communication and critical thinking abilities

Preparing Practice-Ready Graduates

With class sizes allowing for highly personalized instruction, the programs focus intently on preparing graduates hit the ground running.

The curriculum is regularly updated with input from the college‘s Legal Studies Business Advisory Board of over 20 legal executives, ensuring relevance to employers‘ needs when hiring legal admins, paralegals and legal secretaries.

Over the past 5 years, average annual job placement rates for AIB Paralegal Program graduates has been 94%.

Contact:
Get started in an exciting legal support career through AIB College of Business flexible diploma and degree program options. Learn more at https://www.aib.edu/areas-of-study/legal-studies/.

Which Paralegal Program is the Best Fit For You?

When selecting your paralegal school, consider your career timeline, budget, and areas of legal interest. Reach out to program advisors and alumni to determine if the curriculum, experience, and job placement outcomes align with personal goals.

Leveraging Des Moines’ wide spectrum of paralegal program options will ensure you gain legal skills vital for career success and contributing meaningfully as a professional paralegal.

How Do Des Moines Programs Stack Up?

Thanks to a breadth of diploma, associates, bachelor‘s and post-graduate pathways at institutions like Drake University, Grand View University and Kaplan University, Des Moines holds its own nationally when it comes to paralegal education options according to experts.

"Relative to its size, Des Moines offers quite an extensive range of accredited paralegal programs catering to different learning needs," notes Dr. Claire Harrison, Director of Drake‘s Paralegal Education Program. "With both online and campus-based formats students here have terrific flexibility."

Veteran paralegal and former President of the Iowa Association of Legal Assistants Doris Caldwell points to some areas of potential enhancement moving forward. "I would love to see Des Moines institutions strengthened engagement with employers to spotlight paralegal career paths and integrate even more hands-on learning connecting concepts to real legal tasks."

This greater integration of academia and practice through clinical programs or crossover faculty appointments could solidify Des Moines as a leader in paralegal training innovation. But the future is undoubtedly bright for the metro that already delivers both diversity and quality when it comes to building legal support talent.