Online Paralegal Degrees

Welcome to OnlineParalegalDegrees.org where you’ll find everything you need to know about becoming a paralegal.

Why would you consider pursuing an online paralegal degree in the current economic climate? Quite simply, the job of paralegal is expected to be one of the fastest growing among all professions, which gives you a very good chance of finding a job once you complete paralegal training. If you’re already interested in the law and becoming part of a legal team, an online paralegal course or program can help you reach your goal.

And make no mistake: employers are increasingly looking for well-trained, certified paralegals to join their teams. The time has passed when employers brought in newbies and trained them on the job, so if you think you’d like to become a paralegal, the best thing to do is to start learning more about paralegals and online paralegal degrees right here at OnlineParalegalDegrees.org.

What are paralegals?

Paralegals, also called legal assistants, are important parts of law firms, attorneys’ offices, government agencies, and corporate legal departments; they help lawyers in a wide variety of tasks, described more fully below, and, indeed, they are increasingly gaining responsibilities in the legal workplace.

These days paralegals are handling many of the job duties that used to fall on young attorneys; now employers are finding that paralegals are just as qualified to do these tasks and are assigning them accordingly, making paralegals an increasingly vital part of many legal operations.

How do I become a paralegal?
There are two main steps in becoming a paralegal: education and certification.

You will certainly have the best employment opportunities if you have earned a paralegal certificate or degree, so start thinking now about which paralegal course or program will best suit your needs.

Online paralegal degrees, often listed under the term “Paralegal Studies” or “Legal Assistant Training,” are available at all levels, including:

• Diploma/certificate
• Associate degree
• Bachelor degree
• Master degree
  

Some paralegal programs may also allow you to specialize in one area of the law, such as real estate, medical malpractice, corporate law, international law, and Internet law. If this interests you, be sure to look for online paralegal degrees that will permit you to concentrate on a particular subject.

For certification, although most states don’t have specific requirements, several professional organizations do grant certification:

• American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc.
• National Association for Legal Professionals (NALP)
• National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
• National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
  

Each of these organizations has their own standards for certification and may require the passing of an exam.

What are online paralegal degree programs like?
Online paralegal certificate programs can take anywhere from three to 24 months to complete while degree programs generally require at least two years of full-time study.

An online paralegal degree program is designed to introduce students to legal research methods and the basics of various areas of the law. Some courses you may be able to take in online paralegal programs include:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Business Writing
• Civil Litigation
• Criminal Law and Procedure
• Constitutional Law
• Contracts
• Domestic Relations
• Economics
• Federal Income Taxation
• Immigration Law
• Legal Analysis and Writing
• Legal Document Preparation
  
• Property Law
• Torts and Personal Injury
• Wills, Trusts, and Estates
  

Some programs for online paralegal degrees also offer internship opportunities.

Am I qualified for online paralegal degree programs?

Different levels of paralegal training have very varying requirements, so be sure to read program descriptions carefully. Generally, for associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree programs, you will need a high school diploma or its equivalent such as a GED diploma.

Regarding personal qualifications, paralegals should be trustworthy, responsible, organized, and reliable as they will be handling confidential, important documents. Excellent communication and research skills are also essential for aspiring paralegals, and a strong interest in the law and legal system is also helpful.

What do paralegals do?

Paralegals assist attorneys in various aspects of preparing for court, real estate closings, client meetings, and other related proceedings. Specific tasks include research and analysis, preparation of legal documents, investigation of claims, handling of court materials, tracking and organizing files, and interviewing clients and witnesses.

What don’t paralegals do?
By law, paralegals cannot engage in the practice of law, which encompasses tasks only a licensed attorney can perform such as presenting cases in court, offering legal advice, signing clients, and setting legal fees.
 

Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook

The annual earnings of paralegals in May 2006 were $43,040 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Salaries varied by experience, training, education, type of employer, and location, but overall, the middle 50% earned between $33,920 and $54,690.

The BLS expects paralegal job opportunities to increase by 22% through 2016, or, in BLS terms, “much faster than the average” for all professions. Opportunities will be especially great for those with certification and training and in the specialty areas of real estate, torts such as medical malpractice and product liability, intellectual property, environmental law, elder law, and community-provided legal services.