To be or not to be a paralegal, that is the question. If that’s the question you’ve been asking yourself then continue reading and your decision will become clear.
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations estimates that over 80 percent of current paralegals have gone through some type of formal paralegal education.
In today’s paralegal market, the NFPA recommends as a bare minimum that wanna-be paralegals have a two-year degree with an emphasis in paralegal studies. However, a bachelor's degree is recommended.
As a paralegal, your responsibilities will vary widely based upon what type of business or organization you end up working for.
If you would like to learn more of the details behind this exciting career opportunity
then check out our home page where
you'll find a complete Paralegal Career Overview
section but if you're ready to apply at one of the top schools in the country then take a look
at best paralegal school resources in the country at the top of this page.
Online Paralegal Course
Getting from point A (no qualifications) to Point B (full trained) as a paralegal has changed rather dramatically over the years; however, one factor has not - the plain simple fact that paralegals are still not required to become certified. On the other hand, certification is becoming more popular because recent graduates are learning that it adds credibility to their skill set and helps set them apart from those paralegals that have not taken the time to become fully certified.
Pivotal criteria when examining any paralegal program:
Paralegal programs should not only teach legal concepts but they should also provide practical real world job skills. In addition, any reputable paralegal school curriculum would encompass everything from legal contacts and legal writing to ethics and torts. Top notch Paralegal programs should also offer the opportunity for students to gain work experience through practicum or an internship.
Who's behind the paralegal curriculum? In other words, what kind of credentials does the program director and the faculty possess. The director should have some type of paralegal education, a law degree or related advanced degree and if they also have legal field experience that's a plus.
In addition, faculty should either have direct paralegal field experience or at a minimum, experience working with paralegals. Of course, they must be an expert in the subject they are teaching.
Is the tried and true campus classroom learning model best for you or is the so-called "modern" online training environment a better fit? An essential question that needs to be answered before you take the plunge and decide to pursue your paralegal degree via the online learning model. Another key question includes how you'll receive the training. Will it be through web based courses or telecourses or interactive video or something else? Furthermore, one of the most important questions is very simple, "Can you learn online?"
Clearly, pursuing a paralegal career isn't for everyone but for those that enjoy research, have solid organizational and writing skills and can work under pressure this is a wide open and growing field that can offer financial security and professional satisfaction.
