What Does a Paralegal Do?
You don't need to be an attorney to have a career in law. You could be a paralegal instead. Paralegals assist lawyers with a variety of tasks, and the legal system wouldn't run as smoothly without them. A paralegal school can prepare you to do the following:
- Research laws and regulations relating to pending cases.
- Gather facts and evidence for upcoming cases
- Draft letters, memos, reports and legal documents.
- Assist attorneys during trials or hearings.
Paralegal Specializations
Just as lawyers often practice in a specific area of law, so too can paralegals. For example, here are two common specializations:
- Corporate Paralegals focus mainly on corporate activities such as employee contracts, shareholder agreements and financial reports. They also ensure a corporation remains in compliance with the law.
- Litigation Paralegals perform a wide range of tasks that pertain to litigation and trials. They may collect evidence, prepare reports and perform administrative tasks.
However, these aren't your only options. Paralegal programs provide general skills that can be used across a variety of legal specializations including personal injury, intellectual property, bankruptcy, immigration and more.
How to Become a Paralegal
Becoming a paralegal might involve taking the following steps, though of course keep in mind that educational and career paths can vary:
- Earn a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Enroll in a certificate or degree progam. Some choose to start with an associate degree, some choose to jump right into a bachelor's program.
- Look for certification opportunities, even if they are not required by your state or employer, as they may give you leg up against the competition.
- Apply to work as a paralegal. You might find places to work include corporatations, law firms, indivudual law practices, and more.
If you want to become a paralegal, you'll need to learn about the following subjects, among others:
- Legal research
- Computer applications
- Tort law
- Legal practice management
While some employers may provide on the job training, most prefer students who have a formal education in paralegal studies. Keep reading to learn how you can go about getting that.
Paralegal Degree Programs
You can find both traditional and online paralegal programs at schools across the country. They usually result in one of the following:
- Associate degree: Many paralegals have associate degrees in paralegal studies. Completed in two years, these degrees are offered by paralegal vocational schools, paralegal technical schools and community colleges.
- Certificate: There are also certificates available in paralegal studies. Many times, these programs are designed to provide paralegal skills to someone who already has a degree or college credit in another field. However, some programs also accept students with no prior higher education. You can find paralegal certificate programs online or at many of the same schools that offer associate degrees.
- Bachelor's degree: Some employers prefer to hire those with a four-year degree, but it's not necessary for many paralegal jobs.
Paralegal Schools - Online and On-Campus
Schools with paralegal programs may offer several learning options. In addition to traditional campus-based programs, there are a number of online paralegal programs available.
If you plan to be a distance learner, look for accredited online paralegal certificate programs and degree programs. Paralegal programs approved by the American Bar Association may be preferred by some employers.
Certification for Paralegals
There are no state licensing requirements for paralegals, but you can earn professional credentials in the field. Here are a few of the designations currently available:
- CORE Registered Paralegal (CPR): Offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), this designation demonstrates you have the proper education and expertise to provide paralegal services in a variety of settings.
- Registered Paralegal (RP): Also offered by the NFPA, the Registered Paralegal designation is available to those who have comprehensive education as well as experience working in the field.
- Certified Paralegal (CP): Offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and recognized by the American Bar Association, the CP designation is intended to represent a paralegal has achieved a high level of expertise.
- Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP): The ACP credential is offered by NALA to identify Certified Paralegals who have committed to continuing their education.
While certification requirements vary, most programs require you have a certain level of education and pass a certification exam.
Career Advancement for Paralegals
Paralegals may naturally move into more advanced roles as they gain experience in the workforce. Earning a voluntary certification or taking additional classes at paralegal vocational schools may also provide additional employment opportunities.
Skills and Qualities for Paralegals
Schools with paralegal programs can teach you the book knowledge needed to work in this field. However, your success may also depend upon your ability to cultivate the following personal skills and qualities.
- Active listening: Paralegals need to be able to listen carefully and ask appropriate questions in order to understand attorney and client requests.
- Critical thinking: Attorneys rely on paralegals and legal assistants to work independently. That means it's important to be able to problem-solve on your own.
- Writing: Paralegals are responsible for drafting all sorts of documents, and the ability to write clearly, concisely and correctly is essential to their job.
- Written comprehension: In addition to writing documents, paralegals also spend a significant time reading. They must be able to comprehend information even when written in complex language.
- Near vision: Good vision is necessary since paralegals spend most of their time working on a computer, writing or reading.
25 Best Paralegal Schools for 2020
We analyzed data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and College Scorecard to find out which of the hundreds of accredited two-year schools in the U.S. offered the best paralegal programs. Here's a list of the top ten institutions nationwide for paralegal study:
Students at this institution in the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area have a tendency to follow their programs through to completion, according to NCES data. No other school on our list reported a higher graduation rate than Lewis and Clark Community College.
Paralegal programs at L&C: The catalog here contains two different lengths of paralegal program. The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) plan takes around two years of full-time study to complete, and a certificate of proficiency can be earned in two or three semesters.
Located less than 20 miles from the state capital of Jackson, the numbers show that Hinds Community College is a hotspot for paralegal students. A total of nearly 80 graduates earned associate degrees in paralegal studies in 2018 -- one of the five highest totals in the country.
Paralegal programs at HCC: The A.A.S. in paralegal technology at this Mississippi school is a two-year program that works to provide flexibility options for students. Many of the courses in the curriculum are available either in the evenings or online.
The College of Lake County stood out in a few categories of our analysis, particularly in terms of graduate success in the workforce. This northeastern Illinois school reported that more than 87 percent of students reported being finished with training and gainfully employed within six years of beginning their programs.
Paralegal programs at CLC: Two options in legal studies are available for aspiring paralegals -- the A.A.S. program for students earning their first degree and a certificate plan for those who have already earned a degree in another subject. Both programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
California students concerned about the cost of their training should definitely consider earning their paralegal degree at Fresno City College. This institution in the San Joaquin Valley reported an average net price that places it among the ten best paralegal schools nationwide in terms of affordability.
Paralegal programs at FCC: A degree and a certificate in paralegal studies can be earned here, which require 73 and 37 credits to complete, respectively. Students can also join the FCC Student Paralegal Association to gain additional insight into the profession.
Southern Crescent Technical College's agreement with other Georgia colleges allows its students to take online courses from a wider selection of distance education options. That commitment to flexibility likely contributed to its strong performance in student success metrics — just one other school on our list has a higher graduation rate.
Paralegal programs at SCTC: Students here have three levels of program to choose from. The five-term A.A.S. plan and 39-credit diploma program can prepare you for entry-level work, and a 12-credit certificate in paralegal fundamentals offers an introduction to the knowledge and skills of the profession.
If you're looking for online paralegal degree programs, Holmes Community College might be the institution for you. This central Mississippi school reported a higher percentage of distance education enrollment than all other schools on our list but one, with more than 50 percent of students taking at least some of their courses in the virtual classroom.
Paralegal programs at Holmes: The paralegal technology program at Holmes offers face-to-face classes during day and evening hours as well as via distance education. Students can earn a technical certificate or an advanced technical certificate in two or three semesters, respectively, or an A.A.S. on a four-term plan.
Just one other institution nationwide featured a larger number of paralegal graduates than Ivy Tech Community College, where over 100 students earned a certificate or degree in 2017. It also put up strong numbers in the graduate success category, reporting that nearly 87 percent of students had found gainful employment within six years of enrolling.
Paralegal programs at Ivy Tech: The A.A.S. program in paralegal studies at Ivy Tech consists of a 60-credit study plan and can be completed either in person or online. A 31-credit technical certificate can be completed in three semesters of full-time work.
This institution in central North Carolina is another destination for cost-conscious learners. Forsyth Technical Community College students pay an average net price that's about half the cost of all schools included in our analysis. More than 49 percent of students take at least some of their courses via distance education.
Paralegal programs at Forsyth Tech: The associate degree program in paralegal technology at Forsyth Tech is available either during the day or in the evening. A diploma and certificate plan are also offered, and day or evening courses are available in both programs.
Students who begin their training programs at Mt. San Antonio College tend to stick with them for the duration. Only two other institutions in our entire nationwide survey had a better first-year student retention rate than the 80 percent reported at Mt. SAC, and its graduation rate was one of the best among our top paralegal schools.
Paralegal programs at Mt. SAC: The Associate of Science (A.S.) paralegal/legal assistant program here is approved by the ABA and focuses on the practical application of career skills. Certain arts electives may not count toward ABA-approved programs, so meet with your advisor before setting your schedule.
This Texas Panhandle institution welcomes close to 10,000 students each term and features a student-faculty ratio of 20:1. Online enrollment is high at Amarillo College, with more than 50 percent of learners earning at least some credits through distance education — indicating that students are taking advantage of this flexibility option.
Paralegal programs at AC: Students here can have two plans to choose from. The A.A.S. in paralegal studies program consists of 71-72 credit hours; the legal studies/paralegal professional certificate plan covers the basics of the field and can be earned with 24 credits of full- or part-time coursework.
Paralegal Salary and Career Outlook
Paralegal schools and online paralegal programs offer the opportunity to start a new career in two years or less. After graduation, your income and job prospects may depend upon your specialization, where you live and whether you've obtained a voluntary certification. Those with experience often command higher incomes than those who are have only recently graduated from paralegal technical schools.
The following table represents the range of incomes found nationwide for paralegals and legal assistants, according to government data. If you're looking for job growth information, we've got that too:
Career | Total Employment | Average Salary | Projected Job Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 329,870 | $55,020 | 12% |
Professional Resources for Paralegals
There are several membership organizations that represent paralegals and work to advance to the profession. Here are a couple you should know:
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations - Dating to 1974, NFPA holds the distinction of being the first national association for paralegals.
- National Association of Legal Assistants - Representing more than 18,000 paralegals, NALA provides professional development and continuing education support to those working in the profession.
- National Paralegal Association - Members of the NPA include students, professionals, law firms and paralegal technical schools.
Expert Q&A on Paralegal Vocational Schools
Paralegals typically earn a degree in legal studies, but it's also common for individuals from other majors/backgrounds to enter the field as well. To learn more about what to expect from your education if you're thinking about becoming a paralegal, we spoke with Monica Carter. She's the senior paralegal at Vethan Law Firm in Texas, and will answer questions about the career path to becoming a paralegal.
Monica Carter
What is the typical educational path needed to become a paralegal?
Schools all across the county are developing paralegal certificate programs which are usually a 6-9 month course. There are other available options for those who would like to have a degree for their schooling, [including] associates and bachelors degree programs at colleges and universities. I obtained my Bachelors in Paralegal Studies from American Public University, while in the United States Army. After receiving my degree, I continued my educational path by testing and becoming certified with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
How long does it typically take to complete education for this job?
While some programs can provide you with a certificate in a short amount of time, degrees require years of dedication and provide you with a far greater amount of knowledge -- to obtain a bachelor's degree it can take 4-5 years. To be eligible to test for NALA certification, you would have to complete a paralegal program over 60 hours, a bachelors in any field plus one year paralegal experience, or a high school diploma and 7 years experience as a paralegal plus 20 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE). I was fortunate to obtain a job while in college as a paralegal and after 10 years of being a paralegal, being a military paralegal, being a military court reporter, and completing my bachelors in Paralegal Studies I then became certified by NALA. My skills stand out in a crowd because I have an office administrator background, knowledge of client billing, family law, civil litigation, trial experience, military justice experience, and court reporting and exhibit experience combined with my ability to multitask, plan, organize and manage, but those were not just developed yesterday. They grew over time.
Why would you encourage someone to pursue a career as a paralegal?
I would encourage individuals who have strong research skills, who want to learn and continue to grow, and who are interested in the legal field to pursue a career as a paralegal. Being able to multitask is an extremely useful skill to have as well as knowledge of software and programs. The advantages are numerous. I am always learning new skills or laws, [or] creating new documents. Most federal holidays the office will be closed, and I enjoy traveling and since the Vethan Law Firm has clients all across the country and offices in two states, I am able to travel often. My favorite advantage to being a civil litigation paralegal is preparing for and attending trials, managing the exhibits and getting to know more about each of the clients. The disadvantages are that if there is a trial near a federal holiday, you may have less time off than you hoped for. I love to do trial and deposition prep and so much more can be accomplished on the weekends and when you are out of the office.
Do you have any advice for young people who are just starting out in this career?
I would tell them to get as much education as they can. If you start with a certificate program, be sure it will go towards an associate's degree, and the same for a bachelor's. Education is not only useful, but it shows that you are dedicated and have follow through. Take the time to be certified, market your certification to prospective employers and keep increasing your knowledge. If you don't know something, use your resources and ask questions.