Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Many people are interested in law, but may not have the time to go to school and become a lawyer. However, these people are still able to do the work of a lawyer by pursuing a career as a paralegal. While the paralegal may not require the number of years as a lawyer, the study is very intense. For many starting out as a paralegal, this career may require a certificate, associate's degree, or a bachelor's degree, which usually corresponds to the state paralegal license requirement.
Know Your State Requirements
When choosing a career as a paralegal, investigate your state requirements. This is very important as some states require you to have a higher level of education than others. There are several levels you can choose from, such as an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or a certificate program. In addition, you may also find that as a paralegal you may also be required to take advanced continuing education courses which may be required in the particular type of law that you specialize in, and the state requirement for continuing education credits.
Associate's Degree
There are many states that require a professional paralegal to have an associate's degree from an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited school, which is a two-year program that can be taken at a local community college, through a specialized paralegal program, at a four-year institution or through one of the many online paralegal programs. The classes required for an associate's degree may include a number of introductory law classes, business law, real estate law, probate and some in-depth research classes. These classes are an effective way for a paralegal to learn all the basics needed for a career as a legal assistant/paralegal. Paralegals with an associate's degree earn between $31,194 and $42,798 per year.
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree paralegal study is usually obtained through a four-year college or institution. This type of degree will include all of the courses required in the associate's degree level and will include a wide range of advanced studies that are needed for a paralegal who plans to specialize in a specific area of law. Paralegals with a bachelor's degrees usually earn between $39,287 and $52,133 per year.
Education Through Legal Experience
Some states may not require a formal education in order to have a career as a paralegal. In these states, having legal experience is acceptable enough to gain employment in this area. However, a formal education is usually a requirement of most employers. In order for legal experience to count, you may need to get an entry-level job in a law firm, work as an intern or get a job in the research department of a law firm, law college or court house. Paralegals with five to eights years of experience can earn between $43,000 and $82,000 per year.
Become Credentialed
Some paralegals may also want additional certificates that allows them to hold the title of certified paralegal or registered paralegal. Becoming certified is usually done through one of the recognized associations, such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the National Federation of Paralegal Association (NFPA). These associations not only test the qualifications of the paralegal and help them gain employment in the field, they also assist with continuing education and resources which ensures the success of the paralegal in the field.
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