Getting the Right Paralegal Education

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Education )



Paralegals are an important force in the legal community. A paralegal's duties may consist of drafting legal documents, assisting in trial preparation, doing paralegal research or working with clients. Although they do not possess a law degree, certified paralegals may also practice all or any of the duties performed by an attorney. There are however, two exceptions: they cannot conduct an initial interview with a new client or represent a client in court.

The first step to becoming a paralegal is of course, obtaining a good paralegal education. Some paralegals get to train on the job, but there is a rising demand for college graduates of paralegal courses or postsecondary paralegal education graduates.

When choosing a paralegal school or paralegal classes, make sure you get the training you want by taking into account the curriculum. Depending on the type of law you want to work with, there are wide ranges of paralegal education programs to choose from. Be sure to shop around and ask questions from the experts. And to help you in your search for the best paralegal education, we have outlined the options.

• Paralegal Degrees. A paralegal degree program normally combines paralegal training with other academic subjects. The qualities of paralegal programs vary with the better ones promising a job placement after graduation. A degree works both ways. It is for the student who wants to complete a bachelor of science degree and who plans on pursuing legal or graduate studies beyond the baccalaureate level.

• Online paralegal schools. Some companies now recognize – and even prefer paralegals who obtained their degree through an online paralegal school. If you are disciplined and patient, confident and able to work on your own on a daily basis, then online paralegal school is for you. You also have to communicate regularly with your online tutor, commit to classes and assignments and push yourself to finishing off your course. This can be a bit of a challenge because there are no set time schedules - which means self-directed study could be more time consuming than you anticipate.

• Paralegal certificate programs. There are multitudes of paralegal certificate programs offered across the country. However, each curriculum differs and they have no standard program - with units ranging from 18-60 units per semester. This can mean time anywhere from a full-load semester to a full two years. Among a wide range of programs, choose the program that offers what you need. If you already have a degree, opt for programs which omit general education classes. If you don't have a college degree, a deeper immersion in a paralegal certificate program will be useful in the long haul.

Lastly, consider and weigh your options carefully. Getting stuck in a paralegal education you don't want for the next 2-4 years is the last thing you'd want.


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