It’s no secret that law is a fascinating field in which to practice. Often, the fastest way to gain entry into the field of law is by becoming a paralegal. Indeed, paralegals are in demand and often garner excellent salaries.
With such promising job prospects, many people are interested in enrolling in paralegal school. So, how exactly does one choose a paralegal school? Students have various routes to choose from in their journey to become a paralegal.
The shortest path is that of obtaining a paralegal certificate. The coursework for such a certificate can usually be completed in a year or less.
Another option is that of attaining an Associate’s Degree in paralegal studies. Such a program can take up to two years to complete. These programs are usually held at community colleges or career schools.
An additional option is that of attaining a Bachelor’s Degree in paralegal studies. Though it takes at least 4 years to complete a Bachelor’s Degree, this option provides the student with the most career advancement opportunities. In fact, many paralegals with a Bachelor’s Degree decide to eventually further their studies and earn a law degree.
There are about 260 paralegal programs in the U.S. that are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Graduates of ABA accredited programs often find the best job prospects, because employers look favorably upon the credibility that ABA accreditation bestows.
In addition to programs at community colleges, career schools, and universities, many paralegal programs are now offered in an online format. These online options allow students who are working full-time or caring for family members to fit in paralegal education during a time that their schedule allows and from the comfort of their own home.
In paralegal school, a student will likely take a wide variety of courses, covering topics such as legal writing and civil litigation. The paralegal school may also include more general business courses, such as marketing, finance, and ethics.
Once a paralegal has graduated, he or she may obtain employment in a variety of settings, including: law firms, banks, accounting firms, insurance agencies, and corporations. The paralegal can expect to earn an average salary of $54,600.
With such a promising salary and the wide variety of paralegal school options, many find the paralegal career very attractive.
You can attend school online to become a paralegal. National Paralegal College is an accredited online school specifically for paralegal studies.
Yes, you will need to go through some type of school and/or training to become a paralegal. Here are some sites that you can find the best schools: nationalparalegal.edu/ and also www.allcriminaljusticeschools.com/legal.../paralegal/paralegal.
Paralegal classes are available online. You don't need any previous training to take paralegal classes online, but you will be learning how you can assist a legal lawyer with his work. Once you complete the school, you can become a certified paralegal.
If you are looking to become a paralegal, you cannot earn your degree for this occupation at any online college, you will have to enroll in a local school.
The cost of paralegal school varies among the type of school, where the school is, how long you are attending the school. Normally it would cost around ten thousand dollars and more.
While attending a paralegal school can be beneficial for gaining the necessary skills and knowledge, it is not always required to become a paralegal. You can also become a paralegal through on-the-job training, certification programs, or obtaining a degree in a related field. It ultimately depends on the requirements of the employer and the jurisdiction in which you plan to work.
The are many ways to earn a paralegal degree. Online paralegal school is the wave of the future. Because so much of a paralegal's job is preparing court documents and briefs, learning to be a paralegal online is an excellent education route to take.Private Paralegal SchoolsIf you decide to go to a private vocational school, you can become a paralegal in a year of condensed study. You will have a paralegal certificate when you are finished and will be qualified to apply for just about any paralegal job. Many programs like this one allow a paralegal student to specialize in two or three areas of the law. In this case, a paralegal will actually know more about the required paperwork in their specialties than almost any attorney. This sort of specialization makes a paralegal's job vitally important to a law firm in one of the paralegal's areas of expertise.Two-Year CollegeThis course of study allows a paralegal to major in paralegal studies at a community college. The student will emerge with an Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies. The paralegal is eligible to work in a law office as soon as he has his Associates Degree.Four-Year CollegeA paralegal student can major in paralegal studies at a public or private college. At the conclusion of his education, the paralegal will have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Paralegal Studies. The paralegal can work for awhile and prove himself in a law office. Later, he may want to arrange his work schedule around law school. If he is already working at a firm, they are likely to be quite flexible with his hours and will probably pay for the paralegal's law school, if he contracts to stay at that firm for a set number of years.BenefitsA paralegal can start at entry level and obtain more education, including law school. A paralegal career is an excellent stepping stone to becoming an attorney. There is a great deal of room for advancement for paralegals.
You can become a paralegal by enrolling in a community college, university, or online institution that offers a paralegal studies program. Look for programs accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) or approved by the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) for a quality education. Additionally, some schools also offer certificate programs for aspiring paralegals.
One must get the correct paralegal qualifications for a paralegal career. One can get the education and certificates needed from the National Paralegal College. They enable one to get the Associates Degree Program and Bachelors Degree Program.
You can find more information here: http://www.ehow.com/how_4998659_become-paralegal-online.html but as the site warns you have to check the school very carefully beforehand because you want to be sure the school is legitimate and your degree valid.
No. The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved only 260 of the 1,000 paralegal training programs in the United States, and while a degree from an ABA-approved school is generally considered more competitive in the employment market, a paralegal degree from a non-approved school can still land you a job with some employers.
The cost of paralegal school varies greatly. It is different from state to state and the biggest factor is your choice of school. Depending on whether your prerequisites are already completed or not the price range can go from several thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.