how long is paralegal course

How long does it take to become a paralegal?

Paralegal certification is something that you will pursue only after you have completed your education unless you have experience. To get certified through the National Association of Legal Assistants you must have completed a paralegal program or have at least 7 years of experience with your high school degree. Since many do not want to wait seven years for certification, …

How much schooling to be a paralegal?

A paralegal associate’s degree can be earned at most institutions in about a year and a half with a moderate course load. Similar to other bachelor’s level degrees, a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies is about 3-5 years depending on course load.

How long does it take to get a paralegal certificate?

This program is streamlined to provide education in the most employable and demanding areas of the law, while still offering the essential paralegal courses of study. Certificates may be earned in only 8 months by attending morning classes, Saturday classes, or in the evening taking paralegal classes online. The Paralegal Certificate program is 24 semester credit hours.

How many hours per week does a paralegal work?

It typically takes two years to get an associate degree in paralegal studies and about twice as long to earn a bachelor's degree in the discipline, McClure says.

How can I become a Paralegal?

Becoming a paralegal typically requires a HS diploma or equivalent and formal training through an accredited institution can also be helpful. A car...

What does a Paralegal do?

Paralegals and legal assistants are responsible for researching and preparing information for attorneys to use in their cases. They are able to sup...

What is the growth potential of a Paralegal?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Paralegals jobs are expected to increase 12% by 2030.*

How much does a Paralegal Course cost?

Tuition for this program is $789 total when you pay in full. Payment plans are also available.

Is this Paralegal Program accredited?

U.S. Career Institute is Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by th...

Where Can I Work as a Paralegal?

You might choose to work for a law firm, paralegal service, government agency or legal aid service.

What skills will I learn in this Paralegal program?

Skills covered in the Paralegal Program include Operation of Federal and State Courts, Civil and Criminal Law, Tort Law, Contract Law, How to do Re...

How long does it take to become a paralegal?

You can earn a degree by attending a community college or a university, and those may take anywhere from 18 months to 4 years.

What are the duties of a paralegal?

These duties can include anything from filing documents with courts and judges; preparation of briefs and contracts; research into relevant or related jurisprudence; or client management and liaising. Consequently the course load prospective paralegals can expect typically include classes in composition, business and technical writing, and research methods, as well as background courses covering common legal terms that will inevitably find their way into the paralegal’s workload. Paralegals are subject to the same binding commitments that their partner attorneys are, so classes in professional ethics are also typically part of a paralegal studies course: the importance of maintaining professionalism and integrity needs to be hammered into the aspiring paralegal in order to ensure their success.

What software do paralegals use?

Therefore, paralegals will be expected to have a baseline familiarity with frequently used office software and applications; depending on the firm they eventually work for, this could be either the Microsoft Office suite, the Apple iWork suite, or the web-based Google Office.

How long does it take to get an associates degree?

Typically, associate degrees take about four semesters, or two years’ worth of course work, while bachelor’s degrees take about eight semesters, or four years. Some universities may even offer masters or postgraduate programs in paralegal studies, and these usually take about four semesters, or two years, as well.

How to contact a paralegal?

For more information about online or live paralegal training, paralegal certifications, or our other training courses for the legal support field, give us a call at 1 (800) 522-7737.

How long does it take to get a certificate?

Many students, and especially those who already have degrees, can do a certificate program, which can be completed in as short as 6 to 14 weeks, and sometimes can be completed in as few as 6 weeks to 12 months.

How long does it take to get a paralegal degree?

It typically takes two years to get an associate degree in paralegal studies and about twice as long to earn a bachelor's degree in the discipline, McClure says. Postbaccalaureate certificates are an option only for college graduates and can be earned within one year, he adds.

What is paralegal education?

Paralegal education is designed to ensure that every student is prepared to excel in a paralegal position once they graduate, experts say. "Students study a broad-based curriculum with a primary focus on developing practical skills, as well as learning core legal concepts," Geiger says.

What do paralegals learn?

Paralegal students learn how to craft legal documents like complaints, motions and memos, Phillips notes, as well as "the skills necessary to work on a legal team, which include writing skills, investigation and interviewing skills, professionalism or 'soft' skills, and technology skills.". Phillips emphasizes that paralegal education is less ...

What degree do paralegals need?

Some paralegal jobs require only an associate degree while others require a bachelor's. The median salary for paralegals and legal assistants in the U.S. was $50,940 in May 2018, according to the BLS.

Who is Bita Goldman?

Bita Goldman, the global general counsel for Unidays Inc. – a mobile application that allows students to discover and reap savings from various brands – has hired and worked with paralegals throughout her career and wrote in an email that paralegals "are the operational brain unit of the legal department.

What are the skills needed to become a paralegal?

Reading comprehension and written communication are critical skills to cultivate for success as a paralegal, says Margaret Phillips, an attorney who is director and associate professor of paralegal studies at Daemen College in New York. "The very best thing to do is to read and write as much as you can," Phillips wrote in an email.

Can a paralegal give legal advice?

And most importantly, a paralegal cannot give legal advice. Only lawyers can. Now what paralegals do is they can have contact with the clients and they can gather information, but they can't give opinions.".

How hard is it to become a paralegal?

There is no simple answer to how hard it is to become a paralegal. Depending on the path you take, it may take anywhere from a few months of training in a vocational program to over four years of education if you choose to become a paralegal by earning a bachelor’s degree.

What is the minimum qualification to become a paralegal?

In the legal industry of the 21 st century, where attorneys are looking for the most qualified paralegals to work alongside them, formal qualifications such as an academic certificate or degree are typically considered the absolute minimum when becoming a paralegal.

What is the shortest degree for paralegals?

The undergraduate certificate in paralegal studies is the minimum educational program available and is therefore the shortest. You can find them through many proprietary schools and community colleges. This is the no-extras, get-me-the-training-I-need-in-the-shortest-amount-of-time option that meets the barest of paralegal qualifications.

How many credits do paralegals need?

Takes a few months to a year to complete. Programs consist of 18-29 credits, depending on the certificate and program offerings. Courses are tailored directly to the paralegal profession and legal field and don’t include general undergraduate courses of any kind.

Do paralegals have to be licensed?

This is a profession that has no licensing requirements enforced by state law, but there are plenty of skill requirements to actually land a job. Just ask any law firm looking to bring a new paralegal onboard or any organization representing the profession.

What are the benefits of paralegal studies?

One advantage of completing an associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies is the internship opportunity that it affords. Internships provide you valuable on-the-job training and a chance to work in the field, where you will network and build valuable professional relationships. While not all degree programs include an internship, those that do often partner with local law firms to devise formal internship arrangements. Internship programs often range from 120-280 hours and contribute to the credits you earn in your degree program.

What is the job of a paralegal?

Computers and Technology: From correspondence to calendaring to legal research, naturally paralegal work involves spending most of your time in front of a computer. Paralegals will be well served by having a strong command of word processing, databases, spreadsheet, presentation platforms and the like.

What is a paralegal degree?

A Paralegal degree will provide you with the skills needed to succeed in the field, but there will be a host of things you won’t learn until you’re on the job. For some additional insights, we asked paralegal professionals to share the things they wish they’d known before starting their careers.

How much does a paralegal make?

The median annual paralegal salary in 2018 was $50,940, according to the BLS. 2 That’s $12,300 more than the national average of $38,640 for all occupations. 2 This is pretty encouraging for a job that doesn’t require a Bachelor’s degree or hazardous working conditions.

What is the role of a paralegal?

Paralegals play an integral role in a firm’s success. Every document filed, every interview conducted and every ounce of collected research matters. If you’re looking for an opportunity to work in the exciting legal world you’re used to seeing on TV, the paralegal profession may be the perfect career choice for you.