Paralegal Programs

How to Begin an Online Paralegal Certification Program

2012-08-19T15:27:00.001-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Become a paralegal--
image by Google images.

Having a paralegal certificate is not mandatory but it may help you land the job. If you already have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in another major you may get a paralegal certificate and enter the field. There is an examination process and the certification program requires that you have one year experience. A program offers specialized training for paralegals with an internship for the student to go into a specific area of law.

Online paralegal certification programs are popular for people that work full time. Online programs are an excellent option for students that have to travel a long distance. Many different online schools offer degree programs and certificate programs. Courses students take are legal research, introduction to the legal system and paralegal, ethics, contracts, civil litigation and contracts. There will be assigned reading and textbook work, online content assignments and testing.

There are a lot of recognized schools that have online paralegal certification programs. The online program offers students flexibility to complete the program at their own pace. It may take you from three months to one year to complete the certification program. Students are allowed to live anywhere in the United States and can enroll in an online school of their choosing. The median wage of paralegals is $46,680 annually. Top earning paralegals make in the range of $70,000 a year with bonuses and overtime pay. If the law firm is busy working on a big case a paralegal can be expected to work long hours. Most paralegals receive benefit packages such as medical insurance, dental and life insurance, reimbursement for continued legal education, 401(K) savings, paid sick leave, vacation, and personal time off.

Reference:

Bureau of Labor Statistics; Paralegalsand Legal Assistants

How to Become a Certified Paralegal

2012-08-01T19:28:00.001-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

With just a few months you can
earn a certificate--
Image by Mihow.

Certification is not a requirement for getting a paralegal job, but it could be an asset on your resume. Certification programs are great for career changers that already have an associate or bachelor’s degree in another area. For some programs a student will need at least one year of experience and must pass an examination. Most offer an internship in a specialized area of law which helps the student gain experience by working a few months for example, in a law firm or government agency.

A quality paralegal education will assist you in the following competencies: critical thinking, computer information, communication, organization and ethics. The coursework will include contracts, legal research, writing, legal ethics, and civil litigation. A certificate can be completed in as little as 7 month’s full time, or part time may take about 17 months or longer. Classes are offered in the mornings, evenings, and on weekends. Some colleges offer online classes.

Make sure that you register with a paralegal certification program that is approved by an American Bar Association (ABA).

Post bachelor programs are also offered for people that already have a bachelor’s degree. If you have a degree in another major you may get a paralegal certificate in a specialized area of paralegal training. Paralegals must be able to document and present their findings to an attorney. They must be good researchers, know the terminology, and be proficient on a computer.

Online Paralegal Degree

2012-07-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Earn your degree online--Image dmpop.

Today's job market is competitive and having a paralegal degree is an option to consider. If you are working a full time job, or a busy parent you may not have time to attend a university to earn your degree. Online programs offer students the opportunity to build a foundation of knowledge in a specialized area of law. You will learn how to write legal briefs, research, and learn how to conduct informative interviews of witnesses and clients.

Completion Time

If you want to enroll in an online paralegal certificate program it may take from three months to one year to complete. Most students are allowed to live anywhere in the U.S. and the program includes texts, online lecture notes, mock exams, writing labs and reference materials for all fifty states.

Online Degree

Many recognized schools offer online degree programs. An online degree program is a convenient way to earn your degree. You will be able to choose your courses based on the specialization of paralegal profession. You have the flexibility to complete your degree at your own pace. Make sure that you choose an accredited online school, make sure that the credits are transferable if you want a higher degree, and if there is job placement available.

Classes Needed

Apply for admission. If you are accepted you will need to plan how you will go about your course work. If you are working now you may need to do your coursework during the evenings or weekends. Take classes on a regular basis so that you can complete your degree. If you stop or take only one class at a time it will take you longer to complete your degree. You have the opportunity to specialize and in your online studies you will explore family, criminal law, real estate law, and advanced legal writing. The degree program will involve a study of contract law, policies regarding estate planning and other specialized areas of law. Courses students take are principals of paralegal studies, legal ethics, tort law, advanced legal analysis and writing, legal research, legal case analysis, civil litigation, the practicing paralegal and internship.

Benefits

Earning a paralegal degree will help you achieve advanced career opportunities in legal offices, government agencies, insurance companies, banks and legal aid offices. There are many law firms and attorneys that need paralegals. "Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2010 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations," according to the US Department of Labor Statistics.

Reference:

Bureauof Labor Statistics: Job Outlook

Paralegal Training Programs

2012-07-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Train to become a paralegal--
Image by Wilpersou.

Training for a paralegal may require you to get a two year Associate degree or a four year Bachelor’s degree. You may want to be part of the legal profession, but not want to commit yourself to law school and becoming a lawyer. A paralegal program may be what you are looking for. A paralegal can work on many interesting tasks, including research, interviewing witnesses, and preparing complaints.

Types of Paralegal Programs

Associate’s degree is a common way of entry. You can enroll in a community college. The tuition is much cheaper than a university and it takes two years to complete.

Bachelor’s degree is another common way of entry. Earn your Bachelor’s in paralegal studies. There are some colleges that offer master’s degree in paralegal studies also.

Online Paralegal Programs are convenient for students that are working a fulltime job, live a great distance away from school, or just don’t want to attend a traditional school. Many different online schools offer degree programs and certificates.

Paralegal Classes

Most courses will include legal research legal applications of computers, introduction to the legal system and paralegal, ethics, contracts, civil litigation and real estate law. There will be courses in communications, for example legal writing, and case analysis. Some schools offer an internship in which students gain practical experience by working in the office of a public defender, a corporate legal department, a bank, or a government agency, and the student will receive college credit hours upon completion.

How to Become a Paralegal with a Bachelor’s Degree

2012-07-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Become a successful paralegal
Image by Carin.

Paralegal's earn a good salary and are in demand in the legal industry. Paralegals with more education are offered more money. An online school offers students training and after the student has worked in the industry for a few years they are paid a higher wage also. Having a bachelor's degree is not required to enter the field however; a bachelor's might set you apart from the other applicants.

Bachelor's Degree

The degree program combines paralegal training with other academic courses. Some of the classes you will take are principals of paralegal studies, legal research, legal case analysis, civil litigation, the practicing paralegal and internship. Search for paralegal programs that offer a variety of internships. Most of them offer an internship in which the student will gain on the job experience in their field of study, working for a private law firm, the office of a public defender, attorney general, government agency, a legal aid organization, or corporate law.

If You Have a Bachelor’s Degree

If you hold a bachelor's degree in another major and it is not related to law and if you don't have any experience in law another form of entry is through a program that leads to certification in paralegal studies. Although, some employers hire paralegals on the job that have finished college and train them, and some promote experienced legal secretaries to that position. Others have experience in technical fields that are useful to law firms. A certification program provides intensive paralegal training for people that already hold a Bachelor's degree. The program usually takes only a few months to complete.

How to Become a Paralegal Online

2012-07-13T08:25:00.001-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Start your career online--
Image by Monstarx.

Paralegal programs online are able to bridge between actual practice and higher learning in the legal profession. Online classes are available for students that may have a great distance to travel to class. There are self-sufficient classes for those who want to get a certificate in paralegal studies or paralegal degree programs. There are a lot of online schools that offer paralegal education through distance programs.

High school graduates that are interested in entering the paralegal field there are several options to consider including associate and bachelor degrees. An associate degree can take two years to complete at a community college or university. If you are planning to work for a big firm you may need to enroll in a four year college and get your bachelor’s.

There are many recognized schools that offer online degree programs. Enrolling in an online degree program is a convenient way to earn your degree. You will be able to choose your courses based on your specialization. An online school will offer you the flexibility to complete your degree at your own pace.

Many of the courses don’t utilize a lot of time and if you are working a full-time job and want to change your career online courses allow you to work and go to school at your convenience. Your coursework can be done whenever you have time without putting a lot of pressure on you traveling to school and sitting in long lectures.

Choose an accredited online school, make sure that the credits are transferable if you want a higher degree, and if there is job placement available. There are many different online schools available that offer degree programs and certificates.

How to Get a Paralegal Certificate

2012-07-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Enroll in a paralegal certification
program--Image by Plex.

A paralegal certificate is not mandatory to enter into the profession, but it may help applicants get a paralegal job. Certification programs are available for people who already have an associate's or bachelor's degree in another subject and wanting to enter into the paralegal profession. Most certification programs require students to have at least one year experience and pass an examination.

Courses Needed

Some of the courses that students will take will be contracts, legal research, writing and civil litigation, professional responsibility and legal ethics. Most certification programs can be completed in a short time for example, if going full time 7 months and part time about 17 months. Some of the classes taken will be in general education that will cover subjects in technology, language arts, and natural sciences. Classes are offered in the evenings and on weekends in most colleges.

Select and enroll in a paralegal certification program. Select a program that is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). There are programs that can be taken on campus or online.

Certification

School programs are designed to help you get a certificate. Paralegals that have an associate or bachelor's degree are eligible to take the National certification NALA which is obtained by passing an assessment examination offered at their local test site. Certification from a college legally qualifies you as a paralegal, but a certification from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) may enhance your employment prospects and income potential.

Benefits

If you thought about a better paying position you may need to consider becoming a paralegal. Most employers prefer that a paralegal have at least one year experience in a law firm or office setting. That they have technical understanding of a specific legal specialty, however most paralegal training programs also offer an internship in which students gain experience by working for several months in a law firm, public defender’s office, attorney general, or a corporate legal department.

Reference:

USBureau of Labor Statistics: Paralegals and Legal Assistants

About: Paralegal Certification; Sally Kane

How Much Does a Paralegal Earn a Year?

2012-07-01T16:42:00.004-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Paralegals perform a variety
of tasks to assist attorneys--
Image by Oki975.

Paralegals work in law firms, corporations, and government agencies. In smaller firms a paralegal may have to prepare written reports that help lawyers determine how to handle their cases, and may help prepare the legal arguments and draft documents to be filed with the court. In larger firms they may work only on a particular phase of the case, for example maintain reference files, conduct research for lawyers, and collect and organize evidence for hearings.

Education

Training includes degree programs and certification. Classes may be taken at colleges, community colleges, and online. The degree programs include associate and bachelor degrees in paralegal studies, and a 4-year bachelor's degree program with paralegal as the major course of study. There are community colleges that offer 2-year associate degree programs. Some schools offer job placement so check with your admissions if they offer this service.

Average Paralegal Salaries

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average wage was $46,680 for a paralegal. The lowest earned less than $29,460 and the top earned more than $74,870. Starting salaries for paralegals with 1 to 4 years’ experience may range from $26,454 to $50,589, according to PayScale.com. The hourly rate for 1 to 4 years’ experience is $10.13 to $20.80.

Most paralegals that work in large law firms earn more than working in smaller firms. Paralegals that work for the US Government earn the highest wages; the second is working for private business or law firms, and followed by insurance companies and legal services.

Benefits

The benefits that they receive are health insurance, 401k, dental and life insurance, disability, reimbursement for continued legal education, a 401(k) savings, vacation, paid sick leave, and personal time off. There may be long hours and overtime when the law firm is busy handling a big case.

Reference

Bureauof Labor Statistics: Paralegal and Legal Assistants

PayScale:Paralegal Salary

Benefits of the Paralegal Profession

2012-06-23T18:06:00.002-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Advantages of being a paralegal--
Image by Celalteber.

A paralegal profession offers a lot of advantages as a successful career. They help lawyers prepare for hearings and trials but their specific duties vary depending on the size of the firm that they are working for. It is great for someone that is interested in law but may not want to become a lawyer.

Paralegal employment is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2010 to 2020, According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Following cutbacks that were made in the recent recession some law firms are hiring paralegals to do tasks that were once done by lawyers. They work with lawyers to gather documents for important transactions, hearings and depositions, take statements which must be done in person.

Another benefit of being a paralegal is that you have the opportunity to work in a variety of different legal areas. You don't necessarily have to work for a law firm you can work for the government, corporate legal departments, insurance companies, real estate, and title agencies.

Top earning paralegals make more than $70,000 a year due to bonuses and overtime pay. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "The median annual wage of paralegals was $46,680 in May 2010.” Paralegals that work for busy law firms may work very long hours and overtime.

Most paralegals receive other benefits such as medical insurance, dental and life insurance, reimbursement for continued legal education, a 401(k) savings, vacation, paid sick leave, and personal time off.

Reference:

Bureau of Labor Statistics; Paralegals andLegal Assistants

Best Way to Become a Paralegal

2012-06-23T14:32:00.001-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Become a paralegal--
Image by Lusi.

Most paralegals have an associate's degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor's degree in another field but have a certificate in paralegal studies. The best way to become a paralegal is to get a two year degree or a four year degree in a paralegal program. High school students should check with their guidance counselor for recommendations of community colleges or universities that offer paralegal degrees.

Decide your Legal Specialty

Choose an area early that you would like to work in. For example, you may want to work in criminal law. There are many areas available for paralegals such as, corporate law, real estate, government, patent and copyright law.

Visit Schools

A degree in paralegal studies combines paralegal training with other academic subjects. Taking online courses is another option for someone currently working full time and that wants a career change. Find out if the school that you want to attend is able to arrange a variety of internships. Many of the schools also offer an internship in which the student will gain on the job experience in their field of study, working for a private law firm, the office of a public defender, attorney general, government agency, a legal aid organization, or corporate law.

Certification

It is not required for a paralegal to be certified by most employers. The certification will put you at a level of professionalism. Get certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and through a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA).

Important Skills

Paralegals must be familiar with computers and legal research. They use computers to organize and maintain important documentation. They need good research and investigative skills to conduct the necessary legal research. They must be proficient writers to document and present the research to their supervising attorney.

Online Paralegal Program

2012-06-16T15:35:00.002-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Earn your certification online--
Image by Linusb4.

Online paralegal programs offer students the convenience of earning a certificate online. It is done mostly online although some mail-in course work may still be available. Online programs are becoming increasingly popular for students that must travel a long distance to the college to attend class at a schedule time. Some of the programs are offered at community colleges others at colleges and universities. The course work is usually the same as offered on campus except it is delivered through a website provided by the institution.

Classes

Courses students take tend to proceed at a set pace, and it is set by the institution, the textbook work with assigned reading, online course content, assignments, and testing. Specific required courses are needed in areas of business law, contracts, litigation, court procedures and ethics.

Completion Time

An online paralegal program may take from three months to one year to complete the certificate program. Most students are allowed to live anywhere in the U.S. and the program includes texts, online lecture notes, mock exams, writing labs and reference materials for all fifty states.

Advantages

Paralegals that earn certification can work in all areas of law, corporate, criminal, real estate, family law, government and legal technology. Most employers do not require that you have certification, but having a certificate may help you in the labor market.

Paralegal Certification Programs

2012-06-13T09:21:00.001-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Get your paralegal certification--
Image by Oki975.

Paralegal certification programs are suitable for people that want to enter the job market quickly, and for students that have an associate's or bachelor's degree in another major. Certification is not mandatory but is voluntary. Certification demonstrates that you have knowledge of the field, have made a commitment to the profession and have mastered certain skills. An advanced knowledge of legal procedures, ethics, law, research and writing skills will be tested.

Some of courses that students take will be contracts, legal research writing and civil litigation and professional responsibility and legal ethics. Most certification programs can be completed in a short time for example, if going full time 7 months and part time about 17 months.

You can attend classes in the evenings and on weekends in most colleges. If you are working full time you can attend on a part time bases. Most schools will give you a window of completion and some require that you complete the program within a 5 year period. If you are working full time and want to attend a classroom setting some classes will be held two or three nights per week plus some Saturday sessions.

A paralegal certificate signifies that you have the credentials and that you are qualified to provide superior service to a law firm and to a corporation. It is recognized by the American Bar Association which marks a high level of professionalism and achievement.

Paralegal Programs

2012-06-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Paralegal is a challenging career--
Image by Shho.

Paralegal school programs prepare students for their future careers in the field by providing programs in law and legal studies that address the function, organization and processes of the judicial system. Paralegals do heavy research and support attorney functions like prepping legal cases, compiling relevant documents and data, analyzing research material and writing reports. In smaller law firms they do miscellaneous administrative work.

Courses students take are principals of paralegal studies, legal research, legal case analysis, civil litigation, the practicing paralegal and internship. You can attend a 4-year bachelor's degree program or a 2-year associate degree program. There are community colleges that offer 2-year associate degree programs. In an associate degree course of study students will earn approximately 60-70 credits. A 4-year bachelor's degree program paralegal will be the major course of study. Some schools offer job placement so check with your admissions office to see if they offer this service.

Most certificate programs offer specialized paralegal training for people that already have a bachelor's degree and want to enter the paralegal field. Most offer an internship where the student gains experience working for several months in a private law firm, corporate legal department, and bank, legal aid, or government agency. As an intern you will do your final semester of the program and will be given a choice of different sponsors.

There are many law firms and attorneys that need paralegals. Paralegal jobs are in demand and a talented paralegal can make a great living and have a challenging career.

How to Become a Paralegal

2012-06-09T13:35:00.001-07:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Becoming a paralegal--
Image by GraphiteBP.

A paralegal assists attorneys by maintaining and organizing files, conduct legal research and draft documents. They work on a variety of different things including research, clerical, and interview potential clients. They have heavy phone and email contact with clients, medical providers, insurance companies and opposing counsel. They prepare and draft complaints. Paralegals work in law firms including criminal, family, tax, estate, corporate legal departments, or government agencies.

Education

Decide if to complete a paralegal certificate program for high school graduates. Most certificate programs are for people who have degrees in other areas and take a few months to complete. A paralegal will typically earn an associate degree from a community college or university. A bachelor's degree in paralegal studies combines paralegal training, legal research and legal applications of computers with academic subjects.

Areas

Choose an area that you would like to work in for example a large law firm or a corporation. Make sure that you take computer classes because a lot of your work will involve online computer research.

Work Schedules

Most paralegals work full time for law firms, corporations, and government agencies. Most paralegals that work for busy law firms work long hours and overtime to meet deadlines.

You will need good research skills to conduct the legal research. Paralegals must be able to write to present their research and related information to their supervising attorney.

Privacy Policy

2012-05-09T17:22:00.002-07:00

Privacy Policy

We take your privacy seriously. This policy describes what personal information we collect and how we use it. (This privacy policy is applicable to websites falling under the primary holder fill in your website(s) and urls here.)

Routine Information Collection

All web servers track basic information about their visitors. This information includes, but is not limited to, IP addresses, browser details, timestamps and referring pages. None of this information can personally identify specific visitors to this site. The information is tracked for routine administration and maintenance purposes, and lets me know what pages and information are useful and helpful to visitors.

Cookies and Web Beacons

Where necessary, this site uses cookies to store information about a visitor's preferences and history in order to better serve the visitor and/or present the visitor with customized content.

Advertising partners and other third parties may also use cookies, scripts and/or web beacons to track visitors to our site in order to display advertisements and other useful information. Such tracking is done directly by the third parties through their own servers and is subject to their own privacy policies.

Controlling Your Privacy

Note that you can change your browser settings to disable cookies if you have privacy concerns. Disabling cookies for all sites is not recommended as it may interfere with your use of some sites. The best option is to disable or enable cookies on a per-site basis. Consult your browser documentation for instructions on how to block cookies and other tracking mechanisms.

Special Note About Google Advertising

Any advertisements served by Google, Inc., and affiliated companies may be controlled using cookies. These cookies allow Google to display ads based on your visits to this site and other sites that use Google advertising services. Learn how to opt out of Google's cookie usage. As mentioned above, any tracking done by Google through cookies and other mechanisms is subject to Google's own privacy policies.

About Google advertising: What is the DoubleClick DART cookie? The DoubleClick DART cookie is used by Google in the ads served on publisher websites displaying AdSense for content ads. When users visit an AdSense publisher’s website and either view or click on an ad, a cookie may be dropped on that end user’s browser. The data gathered from these cookies will be used to help AdSense publishers better serve and manage the ads on their site(s) and across the web. Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy. (link this to: http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html

Contact Information

Concerns or questions about this privacy policy can be directed to fill in your contact information here for further clarification.