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.
Paralegal Degree - A Few Thoughts
From sea to shining sea, two of the most influential paralegal organizations for decades have been the National Association of Legal Assistants or NALA and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations or NFPA. Both are stalwarts in the paralegal industry and have competed throughout their tenures in trying to shape, guide and influence the language used throughout the profession. In addition, they spend a great deal of time and resources promoting paralegal schools and training programs they've help develop on both a local and global scale.
Crucial benchmarks to gauge when examining the standard of a paralegal program:
Teaching practical, usable job skills in combination with fundamental legal principals are an essential part of any quality paralegal schools curriculum. In addition, paralegal degree programs should also cover topics like contract law, legal research, business organizations and legal writing. A quality paralegal school will focus their courses towards the development of an overall higher quality, well-rounded student.
This would be done by designing courses that develop students' hypercritical thinking abilities, organizational skills and their emotional and mental capacity to handle delicate ethical issues.
Who are the participants running the show? In other words, who were the people that put together the paralegal schools curriculum and who are teachers? Does the teaching staff and paralegal program director have outstanding educational credentials and the field experience to bring their book knowledge to life? Minimally, the program director should have a law degree or other type of advanced degree and the faculty must have real-world experience working with paralegals but preferably as a paralegal and they must be an "expert" in the subject matter they are teaching.
The latest fad in learning is to learn online through the internet but is this right learning environment for you or should you stick with the traditional brick and mortar classroom? The aforementioned is just one of the many questions you need to answer before pursuing your paralegal degree online. Another vital question that needs answered is how will you receive your training? Will it be web-based or through interactive video or whatever is the latest and greatest technological advance. Regardless of the delivery method it comes down to this; "Is online learning right for you?" If yes; jump right in because the benefits in convenience and cost are many but if not, then don't do it. Simply go out and find the best brick and mortar paralegal school near you.
Even if long term you have aspirations to become an attorney, beginning your career in law as a paralegal is a smart first step. Becoming a paralegal will enable you to get your foot in the door of the legal field, which will open up additional opportunities whether you decided to pursue your law degree or continue to work as a paralegal. Regardless, a paralegal career offers countless opportunities.
