Paralegal Studies Degree Programs
Gain professional knowledge and experiences in Paralegal Studies to kick start your career today.
Gain professional knowledge and experiences in Paralegal Studies to kick start your career today.
Study.com has published its 2021 rankings, and Madonna University has been ranked #4 on its List of Best Bachelor's Degrees in Paralegal Studies.
Students and graduates of the program will join over 2,000 paralegal alumni who have contributed to making the Madonna University Paralegal program one of the best in metropolitan Detroit. Potential employers often refer students to the program so they can be a “Madonna Paralegal." The job opportunities for paralegals are outstanding with salaries starting at approximately $50,000-$60,000 and within five years ranging from $60,000 to $85,000. After 10 years, paralegals can make $85,000 to $100,000 annually in high-demand legal specialties such as e-discovery, contract administration and corporate law. They are employed in full-time jobs with benefits in the top law firms, corporations and courts.
The goals and objectives of the Paralegal Studies Program are to produce extremely competent and well-rounded individuals who will be able to assist an attorney in various areas of the law. The program teaches practical paralegal skills in conjunction with a liberal arts education. This allows graduates to serve a modern, multicultural society with a valuable skill. This also includes educating B.S.N credentialed nurses to become nurse paralegals.
The challenging program is an excellent undergraduate pre-law major with legal research and writing courses that prepare students very well for the first year of law school.
2023 Paralegal Program Graduate
"I graduated from Madonna University in May 2023 with my Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies and dual minors in Psychology and Business Administration. I am currently a first-year law student at the University of Michigan Law School.
I ultimately chose Madonna after receiving recommendations about the well-respected Paralegal Program and a positive experience visiting the campus. In both the Paralegal Program, and work in my other courses in Psychology and Business at the University I was able to sharpen both my legal skills and expand my perspective through multiple disciplines with the help of the supportive, experienced faculty.
Choosing Madonna was a wise choice because it provided plenty of opportunities to work with the community, both around the University and beyond through service projects, as well as to grow professionally in preparation for law school. During much of my time as a student, I worked as a litigation paralegal at the Sam Bernstein Law Firm which focused on advocating for catastrophically injured clients in tort cases.
Having this legal background not only allowed me to get a head start on useful things like experience working at a law firm, but it helped me validate my passion for, and confidence in my choice to attend law school. One of the most rewarding experiences I had while attending Madonna was when I was accepted to law school."
The Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Paralegal Certificate provides nurses holding a BSN degree and significant clinical nursing experience, a chance to utilize their nursing knowledge and legal concepts to assist attorneys in litigation of cases where there has been an injury or death, as well as in areas of risk management, insurance and elder care.
Ph.D., University of Southern California
M.A., University of Southern California
B.A., University of Minnesota Minneapolis
734-432-5637, 2406
Paul Radzilowski holds degrees from the University of Minnesota and the University of Southern California. He has taught History at Madonna University since 2003, especially world and European history, and historical methods, but he also has experience in teaching a variety of Humanities courses, and has led study abroad trips. He has taught classes for graduate, undergraduate, and high school special enrollment students.
His research interests include micro-history, the study of culture and religion in Late Medieval Poland, and the interrelations of history and philosophy.
He has been published in journals such as Polish Review, Catholic Social Science Review, and Logos, and has held grants, which include an IIE Fulbright Grant.
Ph.D., Arizona State University
B.S., Wayne State University
734-432-5776
Room 2414
Early in my career, I investigated the neural mechanisms of drug addiction, primarily through the use of lab rats. Following my time in the world of animal research, I decided to take a position as a Research Psychologist with the U.S. Army. I spent several years traveling across the country to many of our outstanding military installations and working with Soldiers suffering from some of the "invisible" wounds of war (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injury).
I was also part of the longitudinal study in which we administered neurocognitive test batteries and drew blood for genetic/proteomic testing from hundreds of Soldiers prior to their first deployment with the hope that this information might better help us identify some key behavioral and neurochemical predispositions to developing combat-related psychological disorders.
I am currently Chair of Madonna's Institutional Review Board, and I am the Faculty Advisor for Psychology Club and Psi Chi (Psychology's Honors Society).
J.D., University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
B.A., Michigan Sate University
734-432-5548
Room 2216
Dr. Mary Meinzinger Urisko, J.D., is a Professor and the Director of the Paralegal Studies Program. Dr. Meinzinger Urisko holds a B.A. Degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University, a J. D. from the University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Law and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.
Dr. Meinzinger Urisko is co-author of The Paralegal Today 7th.ed, an introduction to law textbook for paralegals, published by Cengage. Her research focuses on changes in the law needed to keep the textbook current.
Additionally, Dr. Meinzinger Urisko has published articles in The Michigan Legal Assistant, Legal Assistant/Paralegal Today and Facts & Findings, as well as speaking at the annual Legal Assistants’ Day sponsored by the Michigan Bar Association Paralegal/Legal Assistants Section, LAAM's job fair, and the national American Association for Paralegal Studies annual conference.
Dr. Meinzinger Urisko is a recipient of the Michigan Bar Association Paralegal/Legal Assistant Section’s Mentor Award.
J.D., University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
LL.M., Wayne State University
B.A., University of Michigan
734-432-5549
Room 2214
Dr. V. Lynn Carlino, J.D., LL.M. is a Professor in the Paralegal Studies Program. Dr. Carlino holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan, a Juris Doctorate from the University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Law, and a Master of Law in Corporate and Finance from Wayne State University.
She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and Macomb County Bar Association.
She teaches Legal Research and Writing I and II, Legal Research on the Internet, Litigation, Contractual and Commercial Relations, Real Estate, and Computer Assisted Legal Research.
Dr. Carlino teaches courses both on campus and online and is a certified on-line instructor.
Prior to joining Madonna University, she was an Assistant Professor at Lansing Community College and prior to that she was the Associate Dean of Business at Baker College of Clinton Township.
