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What is a paralegal?
A paralegal is a legal assistant who can do almost anything an attorney can do except give legal advice, represent a client in court, set fees or accept cases. If you are fascinated by the prospect of helping to solve a crime, researching a historical precedent, or writing summaries of cases related to an criminal or civil investigation, you would enjoy being a paralegal.
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Prepare yourself for a smart career path by earning your Bachelor's of Science in Paralegal Studies from Kaplan University! After all, the U.S. Department of Labor has estimated that job growth for paralegals will grow by 22% between 2006 and 2016. This is much faster than average; however keep in mind that the field is also competitive. A bachelor's will ensure you are on the top of the application list! You will develop skills that will prepare you for assisting clients, analyzing data, performing research, preparing legal documentation and more.
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Keiser University eCampusonline offers an Associate's degree in Paralegal studies. Students learn how to draft and interpret legal documents, interview clients and witnesses, form corporations and more. Coursework also includes legal research, writing analysis, contract law, estate administration, personal injury, and more.
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Post University Online will help you earn a Paralegal Certificate. A paralegal is a legal assistant who can assist a law firm with legal research, preparation of documents and sometimes interviewing clients. This career field is said to be one of the fastest growing career categories, second only to jobs in the computer industry.
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The Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies from Virginia College will prepare you for employment in law firms, court room, corporations, insurance companies, government offices and more. You will study legal office procedures, the delivery of legal services, legal research and writing and will also acquire general education and technical competencies.
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You can take it from a student that Rasmussen College cares about you as an individual, not merely as a number to add to their rolls. A featured program is their Associate of Applied Science – Paralegal. Paralegals are indispensible to attorneys as they assist in almost every aspect of the court and legal system. You will examine such areas as legal research and writing, torts and corporate law, litigation, criminal law and real estate.
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The George Washington University offers a Master of Professional Studies in Paralegal Studies degree program. This program is designed to provide a better understanding of the skills needed in the paralegal profession. The courses balance philosophical, theoretical, and historical perspectives with the practical applications of written and oral communication, legal ethics, and analysis.
What are the requirements to become a paralegal?
The paralegal training is usually a certificate program in which you are introduced to the workings of the law and to legal research methods. You might specialize in employment, real estate, criminal investigation, family crisis issues, or victim advocacy, just for starters. It is possible in some places to learn the paralegal role on the job, but these opportunities are disappearing as the job of the paralegal has become more complex in recent years. Also, so many universities offer qualified paralegal programs that it is to your benefit to pursue your paralegal studies with an institution that has the tools to make sure you get exactly the training you need. Certification at the present time remains voluntary, but employers look more favorably on those who have satisfactorily completed an accredited program. Your can also earn an associate’s degree, and in some cases, even a bachelor’s or master’s degree in paralegal studies.
How much money does a paralegal make?
The salaries for a paralegal are very attractive with the average at over $42,000 for those with less than two years experience. Those with two to five years experience earned an average of $52,133 in 2007, while those with over eight years experience earned an average of $66,576. A very small percentage—about 10%—earned less that $27,000 in 2006.
What is the job outlook for a paralegal?
While the field is competitive, the employment expectations are up as many business now give jobs to paralegals that were once performed by attorneys. Those who are trained with either a degree or a certificate will have the most and highest paid opportunities. The US department of justice is actually the largest employer of paralegals, followed by the Social Security Administration, and US Department of Treasury. A few individuals work as freelance paralegals, contracting services to attorneys, or businesses in need of legal services.
