Paralegal / Legal Assistant

Paralegals serve as the backbone of thriving law practices. Successful attorneys realize that having a well-trained paralegal on staff can save hours and hours of time the attorney would otherwise have to spend doing legal research and preparing legal documents. Paralegals free up the attorney, allowing him or her to spend more time in direct client interaction as well as the courtroom. Paralegals are an invaluable component of any successful law firm.

The term 'legal assistant' is generally used to mean the same job as a paralegal. The American Bar Association draws no distinction between the two positions; neither does the NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants). The two are deemed to be synonymous, and both refer to the same job. The term 'legal assistant' could be construed to include other staff that assist an attorney, such as a legal secretary or a file clerk, but in general, the term is used to refer to a paralegal.

On a typical day a paralegal may make telephone calls to relay information to clients from the attorney, and then spend hours doing legal research on the computer. They may have to draft documents for the attorney or organize files and documents for the attorney's upcoming trial appearance. A paralegal's job is interesting and varied, and anyone interested in being involved in the legal system may want to consider this occupation.

Generally someone interested in pursuing a career as a paralegal plans to work in a law office setting. There are job opportunities outside the law office setting, however, that a paralegal may want to consider. These include working as a claims adjuster for an insurance company, working as a title examiner with a real estate business, or even conducting legal research for oil and petroleum company or a software company.

Many paralegals have obtained education in various areas of legal study. Although there are currently no certification requirements for paralegals, paralegals that choose to not obtain post-high school education may obtain a certificate of completion from a paralegal certification program. In some cases a school may call the program a legal assistant certification program. In general, employers prefer to hire paralegals or legal assistants who have obtained a degree from a university.

How to Become a Paralegal or Legal Assistant

There are three different paths that someone interested in becoming a legal assistant or paralegal should consider. The first involves attending a trade school offering certification in paralegal studies. The second is seeking an Associate's degree in paralegal studies. The third is obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in paralegal studies.

Accreditation

The American Bar Association has developed a set of standards in regards to paralegal programs in order to ensure that paralegals enrolled at those institutions are trained by qualified professionals and that the students are taught based upon a high-quality curriculum. Employers may expect prospective employees to have received their education through one of these ABA-approved programs, although that depends upon the individual employer.

Paralegal Certification or Legal Assistant Certification Program

There are numerous trade schools that offer paralegal certificates. These refer to verification that the student has completed some basic classes through the trade school and may be considered adequately trained to begin work as a legal assistant. Someone enrolling in a certification program may be able to finish the program in a 10 week period. Some of the skills the student will be trained in include:

- Using libraries as well as computers to conduct legal research

- How to prepare documents summarizing the legal research for the attorney

- Learn legal definitions and terminology

- Learn basic courtroom procedure

- Preparation of basic documents

Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies

An individual interested in obtaining more education than the certificate programs offer may decide to pursue an associate's degree. This degree prepares the student for working within the legal system as a legal assistant or paralegal. In order to enroll in an associate's program, the student must meet the individual school's requirements for admission, which will include having a high school diploma or equivalent. Typical associate programs take 2 years to complete. Some of the coursework a paralegal studies' student may be required to take include courses such as:

- Introduction to Legal Technology

- The Paralegal Professional

- Civil Litigation

- Introduction to Legal Research

- Introduction to Legal Analysis and Writing

- Legal Ethics

- Real Property Law

- Trusts and Estates

- Family Law

Bachelor Science Paralegal studies

For someone interested in obtaining a bachelor's degree in connection with their legal studies, pursuing a BS in Paralegal Studies could be the solution. Obtaining a bachelor's degree will take approximately 4 years to complete. The student must meet the admissions requirements of the individual college or university, which may include having a high school diploma or equivalent, presenting high school transcripts that reflect a minimum grade point average, and minimum standardized testing scores.

The student will need to complete the regular requirements for a bachelor's degree, which usually include courses in English, Mathematics, Science, Computer Science, History and others. In addition, the student will take legal studies courses such as:

- The Paralegal Professional

- Civil Litigation

- Introduction to Legal Research

- Introduction to Legal Analysis and Writing

- Legal Ethics

- Real Estate Law

- Tort Law

- Advanced Legal Writing

- Introduction to Criminal Justice

- Cyber law

- Principles of Criminal Investigation

- Introduction to Forensic Science

Professional Certification For Post-Graduates

Once a paralegal or legal assistant has entered the market, there is an opportunity for a certified legal assistant credential. The National Association of Legal Assistants offers an examination that tests basic paralegal knowledge. Upon successfully passing the exam, the candidate will be issued certification. Obtaining this certification provides a great deal of credibility to a paralegal and enhances their consideration for job placement, advancement in the field and pay increases.

Pursuing a legal career as a legal assistant is challenging and potentially very lucrative. A paralegal who has been trained in some of the newest areas of legal controversy, such as cyber law, will be a valuable asset to a law practice, business or governmental office.

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We found 608 schools offering paralegal degree programs in the U.S.

>> See all 608 Paralegal / Legal Assistant Colleges in the U.S.

Paralegal Schools By Total Enrollment

1
Community College of the Air Force
Montgomery, AL  |  Total Enrollment: 378162

Degrees Offered: One but less than two years, Associate's
2
Miami Dade College
Miami, FL  |  Total Enrollment: 46834

Degrees Offered: Less than one year, One but less than two years, Associate's
3
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN  |  Total Enrollment: 45481

Degrees Offered: One but less than two years, Two but less than 4 years, Bachelor's, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's, Post-Masters certificate, Doctor's, First-professional degree
4
Houston Community College System
Houston, TX  |  Total Enrollment: 40929

Degrees Offered: Less than one year, One but less than two years, Associate's, Two but less than 4 years
5
Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus
University Park, PA  |  Total Enrollment: 40571

Degrees Offered: Less than one year, One but less than two years, Associate's, Two but less than 4 years, Bachelor's, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's, Doctor's
6
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL  |  Total Enrollment: 33713

Degrees Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Post-Masters certificate, Doctor's
7
Community College of Southern Nevada
North Las Vegas, NV  |  Total Enrollment: 29905

Degrees Offered: Less than one year, One but less than two years, Associate's, Two but less than 4 years
8
American River College
Sacramento, CA  |  Total Enrollment: 28420

Degrees Offered: Less than one year, One but less than two years, Associate's, Two but less than 4 years
9
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA  |  Total Enrollment: 28329

Degrees Offered: Less than one year, One but less than two years, Associate's, Two but less than 4 years
10
Boston University
Boston, MA  |  Total Enrollment: 28318

Degrees Offered: Less than one year, One but less than two years, Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's, Post-Masters certificate, Doctor's, First-professional degree

Browse All 608 Colleges With Paralegal Programs


Title City State Enrollment
Zane State College Zanesville OH 1898
Yavapai College Prescott AZ 7915
Woodbury College Montpelier VT 149
Winona State University Winona MN 7386
Wilson Technical Community College Wilson NC 1596
William Woods University Fulton MO 1479
William Rainey Harper College Palatine IL 15021
William Jewell College Liberty MO 1442
Widener University - Delaware Campus Wilmington DE 1323
Wichita State University Wichita KS 14810
Whatcom Community College Bellingham WA 3832
Westmoreland County Community College Youngwood PA 5272
Western Wisconsin Technical College La Crosse WI 4928
Western Piedmont Community College Morganton NC 2248
Western Nevada Community College Carson City NV 5117
Western Kentucky University Bowling Green KY 15481
Western Dakota Technical Institute Rapid City SD 966
West Virginia Business College Nutter Ft Stonewood WV 23
West Valley College Saratoga CA 10719
West Los Angeles College Culver City CA 10404
Wesley College Dover DE 1595
Webster University Saint Louis MO 13783
Watterson College Pasadena CA 498
Washburn University Topeka KS 5917
Warren County Community College Washington NJ 797
Volunteer State Community College Gallatin TN 6567
Virginia Intermont College Bristol VA 537
Vincennes University Vincennes IN 9169
Villa Julie College Stevenson MD 2259
Victoria College Victoria TX 4022
Victor Valley Community College Victorville CA 9221
Vernon College Vernon TX 2095
Valencia Community College Orlando FL 27565
Valdosta State University Valdosta GA 8792
Utah Valley State College Orem UT 20946
University of Toledo Toledo OH 19491
University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg MS 14509
University of Richmond Richmond VA 4325
University of Northwestern Ohio Lima OH 2046
University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus Gallup NM 2594
University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha NE 13479
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis MN 45481
University of Memphis Memphis TN 19986
University of Louisville Louisville KY 19771
University of La Verne La Verne CA 6603
University of Indianapolis Indianapolis IN 3599
University of Illinois at Springfield Springfield IL 3942
University of Houston - Clear Lake Houston TX 7580
University of Hartford West Hartford CT 6895
University of Evansville Evansville IN 2636
University of Detroit Mercy Detroit MI 6023
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati OH 27327
University of Cincinnati - Clermont College Batavia OH 2185
University of Charleston Charleston WV 1096
University of Central Florida Orlando FL 33713
University of Bridgeport Bridgeport CT 2973
University of Alaska Southeast Juneau AK 3470
University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks AK 7132
University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage AK 14794
University of Akron Main Campus Akron OH 21363
Tyler Junior College Tyler TX 8319
Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans LA 11652
Truckee Meadows Community College Reno NV 9930
Trident Technical College Charleston SC 10246
Tri County Technology Center Bartlesville OK 142
Tri - State Business Institute Erie PA 318
Topeka Technical College Topeka KS 260
Tompkins - Cortland Community College Dryden NY 2674
Tidewater Tech Virginia Beach VA 251
Tidewater Tech Chesapeake VA 223
Thomas College Waterville ME 737
The University of West Los Angeles Inglewood CA 182
The University of West Florida Pensacola FL 8479
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga TN 8319
The University of Findlay Findlay OH 4510
The Community College of Baltimore County Dundalk MD 18168
Texas Womans University Denton TX 8404
Texas State University - San Marcos San Marcos TX 22423
Texas Careers San Antonio TX 589
Texas A & M University - Commerce Commerce TX 7508
Technical College of the Lowcountry Beaufort SC 1776
Tarrant County College Fort Worth TX 26868
Tallahassee Community College Tallahassee FL 10816
Tacoma Community College Tacoma WA 5302
Sussex County Community College Newton NJ 2286
Surry Community College Dobson NC 2946
Suny Westchester Commmunity College Valhalla NY 10819
Sullivan University Louisville KY 3462
Sullivan County Community College Loch Sheldrake NY 1552
Suffolk University Boston MA 6908
Suffolk County Community College - Western Campus Brentwood NY 5574
Suffolk County Community College - Ammerman Campus Selden NY 10300
Stonehill College Easton MA 2650
Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches TX 11484
Stenograph Institute of Texas Abilene TX 85
St Petersburg College Clearwater FL 19900
Spokane Community College Spokane WA 7767
Southwestern Michigan College Dowagiac MI 3047
Southwestern Illinois College Belleville IL 13351
Southwestern Community College Sylva NC 1665
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