Take the next step in your legal career, or start a new career, with Oakton’s Paralegal Studies Certificate. This flexible, skills-based program is designed for students who already hold an associate or bachelor’s degree and are ready to upskill quickly and gain a competitive edge in today’s legal job market.
Following the pathway, you can complete the program in 24 credit hours. You’ll build the essential skills legal employers expect: drafting legal documents, conducting legal research, managing case files and using professional legal software. You’ll learn from experienced instructors who bring real-world expertise into the classroom, helping you grow your confidence and apply what you learn directly on the job.
Oakton supports students at every step, whether you're returning to college or starting for the first time. You’ll benefit from personalized advising and online or in-person learning options that fit your schedule. You’ll also prepare to pursue nationally recognized paralegal credentials, opening the door to new roles and long-term advancement.
Located in the northwest Chicago suburbs, Oakton connects students from Des Plaines, Skokie, and the surrounding region to real opportunities. Employers across law firms, corporations, and government agencies value the skills our graduates bring. Many paralegal roles offer strong benefits and long-term career potential.
Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.
99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.
To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.
We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.
Learn more about your options for paying for your education
Ashley Jackson
Associate Professor of Paralegal Studies
B.S. University of Southern California
J.D. Boston University School of Law
ajackson@oakton.edu
847.635.1477
Office: B220, Skokie
Merilee K. Slipenko, Esq.
Professor of Paralegal Studies
B.A. Loyola University of Chicago
M.Ed. Loyola University of Chicago
M.A. Dominican University
M.S. Dominican University
J.D. The John Marshall Law School
slipenko@oakton.edu
847-376-7809
Office: B212, Skokie
Meet our part time faculty:
Patricia Cintron-Bastin
Lecturer
B.A. DePaul University
J.D. Valparaiso University
pcintron@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Samantha B. Myers
Lecturer
Certificate Oakton College
A.A.S. William Rainey Harper College
B.S. Kaplan University
Executive J.D. Concord Law School
smyers@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Samantha Sindles
Lecturer
B.A. Northwestern University
J.D. DePaul University School of Law
ssindles@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
