A paralegal degree can help you get ahead. With the poor economy, you need to obtain a degree that can help you find a secure job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that employment for paralegals and legal assistants will grow faster than the national average. Despite the growth, there is competition for paralegal jobs and degrees can help your chances of finding employment.
After receiving a paralegal degree, approximately 71 percent of graduates will work for a law firm. There are different ways to become a paralegal, but the most common way is through a paralegal college program. Some law firms may offer on-the-job training to become a paralegal. Some paralegals work in community programs that provide legal assistance to the poor or the elderly. These programs usually employ more paralegals and only have a few lawyers. This way they can serve more people on a smaller budget.
More than 1,000 colleges and universities in the United States offer formal paralegal training programs. Out of these 1,000 programs, 260 programs are approved by the American Bar Association. Most schools offer associate’s degrees in paralegal training. However, there are a few bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programs, usually referred to as “legal studies.” For students that already have a college degree in another subject, there are paralegal certification programs that some colleges offer.
Paralegal programs vary greatly depending on the school. Some schools offer job placement, which can be helpful after you graduate. The requirements to get into a paralegal program will vary depending on the college. You will need a high school diploma or GED however.
For an associate’s paralegal degree, you will need to take the core courses at your college which often includes math, history, English and other business classes. In addition to the core classes, you will need to take the majority of your credits in law classes. Classes such as “Torts & Personal Injury,” “Contracts,” “Legal Research, Writing & Civil Litigation” and “Professional Responsibility & Legal Ethics” are mandatory classes. The rest of your credits, you will choose paralegal electives. Each program has different electives, but some topics include criminal law, property law, employment law and immigration law. You should choose your classes based on what area of law you would like to work in. If you do not know, try to take an overview of classes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that paralegals who specialize in areas like bankruptcy, real estate and medical malpractice will be more in demand.
There are different areas of law that you can specialize in, just like attorneys. There are some areas, as mentioned above, that are expected to have more job growth. Other areas include criminal law, immigration law, wills and trust, social security, employment law, copyright law and environmental law. You should find an area that interests you but also has some job prospects.
The National Association of Legal Assistants offers a national certification. Although the certification is usually not necessary to obtain a job, it can help improve your employment prospects. Some paralegal degrees tailor their program to help graduates pass the test to achieve national certification. A Paralegal degree program helps students learn how to find relevant laws, research case law using LexisNexis, draft basic legal documents and understand the job duties of a paralegal compared to an attorney.
Many paralegal programs also offer internships. This can be beneficial to help you experience on the job training and understand the roles of a paralegal. If your school requires an internship, they will help you locate a local law office that accepts interns. Even if your college does not require an internship, it may be helpful to complete an internship on your own. You can make valuable contacts in the legal field and learn additional skills. If you do not know an attorney, begin calling local law offices. Most offices will be happy to have the extra help. Nearly all internships are unpaid, however.
After you complete your courses with a passing grade, you will receive your paralegal degree. Each program has different requirements to graduate. Some may require you to have a minimum grade point average, over a passing grade. Others may require you to take a final test or the certification exam. Talk to the college you are thinking of attending to find the exact requirements.
Paralegals perform a wide array of duties at law offices. The exact job requirements vary from job to job. In some law firms, you may be more of an office assistant. You will be answering phones, taking messages, composing letters and scheduling meetings. In other cases, you will help to research cases and draft initial documentation. You may be the contact person for the clients, taking their calls and answering their legal questions. You generally try to relieve the attorneys in your office of work by doing as much as you can legally do. You may want to shadow a paralegal before you begin your paralegal degree to ensure that the job is a right fit.
There are some paralegal programs online where you can obtain your degree without ever leaving your home. These may be particularly useful if you are working full-time, have a family or other obligations that make it difficult to get to a school and classes. If you are thinking about getting your paralegal degree, research colleges and technical schools in your area.