If you have decided to become a paralegal it is important to get the right kind of education.
While the possibility exists in getting on the job training, more and more employers are opting to employ paralegals with some paralegal training.
Like with other professions, higher education means better job prospects and better pay.
This means that if you want a successful career as a paralegal, you should definitely acquire one of the paralegal degrees available.
The Most Common Paralegal Degrees Are The Associate Degrees
You can get schools offering bachelor’s degrees but this is not as common as associate degree programs.
A few schools will offer master’s degree but this is quite rare. Getting an associate degree in paralegal studies will typically take two years of studying full time.
These degrees are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, law schools and at some universities.
Entrance requirements will vary depending on the specific school but will usually include a high school diploma.
Some people will opt to take an associate degree in paralegal studies as an added qualification to their bachelor’s degree in another field.
Majority of the people with bachelor’s degree will however opt for a certificate in paralegal studies as opposed to an associate or bachelor’s degree.
The coursework for an associate degree will entail a significant law component but will also include other general subjects like math, English and bookkeeping.
Where Can You Find Paralegal Degrees?
Some schools offering associate degrees in paralegal studies include Kaplan College in Texas, Keiser University in Florida, Westwood College in California, TCI College of Technology in New York, Sanford-Brown Institute in Pennsylvania and Pioneer Pacific College in Oregon.
Even though most employers consider an associate degree as sufficient qualification for a paralegal, it may be a good idea to look into a bachelor’s degree.
Because of the common acceptance of an associate degree as adequate paralegal training, bachelor’s degree programs are not as easy to find as associate degree programs.
In many cases, the bachelor’s degrees will not be purely paralegal degrees but will have it as a minor specialization.
This is still adequate for entrance into the paralegal field. It is possible for associate degree holders to transfer credit and pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Paralegals do not have to be licensed to practice but it is a good idea to get certified as this will better your employments chances and enable you to command higher pay.
There are several bodies that certify paralegals through paralegal degrees and these include the American Alliance of Paralegals, the National Association of Legal Assistants and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.