How To Prepare Yourself For A Paralegal Career Or Advancement

Did you know that these days when professional opportunities are declining, the Paralegal field is blooming with opportunities you can grab with two hands? Yes, opportunities are positively expanding in the paralegal field.

This, obviously, is because the practice of law is expanding necessitating the need for Paralegals. There has never been a better for a Paralegal job. As more and more lawyers graduate so also is the need for Paralegals mounting on a daily basis.

As should be expected, this great need for Paralegals has also brought about the mushrooming of both accredited and none accredited Paralegal schools and institutions, both online and offline.

Therefore, selecting a Paralegal institution, whether online or offline entails some research on your part. What you must know in the first instance is that Paralegal institutions that are worth your trust must be ABA (American Bar Association) approved, belong to National Paralegal Organizations, and have, among other levels of Paralegal courses, a foundation course for beginners in which you will be taught the rudiments of Paralegal concepts following which you can then decide to specialize in areas such as litigation, real estate, estate and will, trust, and corporate law.

If you are desirous of doing a Paralegal course on a part time basis, the online option is advised, because of the following reasons:

1. An online Paralegal course will allow you the convenience of taking the course at your own pace.
2. There is flexibility and the benefit of studying at home using your PC and Internet connection.
3. Fees are paid per course module for most Paralegal online courses.

Obtaining an online paralegal degree will provide you with opportunities for advancing your career or finding new employment opportunities with law firms, the judiciary or the legal departments of organizations and the private sector, give it a thought in 2007.

Neshah writes for your Success. Recommended: Online Paralegal Degree Success blog or Online Paralegal Degree Programs Success, the road maps to successful online paralegal degree programs

Online Paralegal Courses

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Employment Projections predicts a growth of over 33 percent in the legal assistant profession during the first decade of 2000. The median annual salary for full-time paralegals and legal assistants as of May, 2004 was $39,130. Online paralegal programs make it simple to learn the necessary skills for employment in this growing, lucrative profession.

Paralegals assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services by performing a wide variety of tasks such as research, drafting formal documents, preparing for real estate closings, preparing for court hearings and gathering information from pertinent parties. Paralegals are prohibited from giving legal advice, which can only be given by an attorney. However, through formal education and field experience, paralegals gain enough knowledge and expertise to handle legal matters under the supervision of an attorney. Much like attorneys, many offices bill hourly for the work performed on a file by a paralegal, only at a lower rate.

Over 1,000 schools offer formal paralegal programs and more than 600 different paralegal programs exist. About 260 paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), the governing association for attorneys. Although ABA approval is not necessary, graduation from such courses may enhance possible employment opportunities for the student. Requirements for admission to paralegal online schools is as varied as the number of courses currently available and may include a high school diploma, bachelor's degree or completion of a standardized test. Online paralegal courses enable students to get experience in a legal environment while learning essential skills to progress in their field.

Online paralegal programs include 2-year associate's degree programs, 4-year bachelor's degree programs and certificate programs, usually geared for students with a degree that want to specialize in paralegal studies. A few universities even offer master's degree programs in areas such as paralegal studies, legal studies and legal administration. Online paralegal programs can be completed in as little as six months or can take up to four years, depending on the course of education the student chooses. Online paralegal courses are offered through written coursework, reading assignments, email, online chats and virtual lectures.

Seven out of ten paralegals are employed by law firms and the rest work for government agencies and corporate legal departments, with a small number offering their services on a freelance basis to attorney and agencies. The United States Department of Labor states that the largest employers of paralegals within the Federal Government are the U.S. Department of Justice, the Social Security Administration and the Department of Treasury. The agency that offers certification and ethical guidelines to paralegals is the National Association of Legal Assistants, along with the National Federation for Paralegal Associations.

Paralegal online schools are a great way for students to learn while they earn in a prestigious, challenging profession.

SUMMARY: Online paralegal programs include 2-year associate's degree programs, 4-year bachelor's degree programs and certificate programs, usually geared for students with a degree that want to specialize in paralegal studies. A few universities even offer master's degree programs in areas such as paralegal studies, legal studies and legal administration. Online paralegal programs can be completed in as little as six months or can take up to four years, depending on the course of education the student chooses. The median annual salary for full-time paralegals and legal assistants as of May, 2004 was $39,130.

Rose M. is the editor of http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com where you find answers, information and advice on distance learning colleges, accredited online degrees and online courses. See more related information on online paralegal courses and colleges.

Want To Upgrade As A Paralegal?

Paralegal Careers are available in law firms and legal departments of both Government agencies and Private Organizations. Schools and institutions in which you can advance or begin your Paralegal training are available both online and off line.

Note that a school offering degrees, training and certificates in Paralegal programs may not be accredited to the national paralegal associations and, the American Bar Association may not have approved such a school.

Do not enrol into a school or institution that has no affiliation with The National Federation of Paralegal Association or approved by the American Bar Association. The National Federation of Paralegal Associations recommends that a person should have a bachelor's degree to practice as a Paralegal, though this recommendation falls short by almost 50% according to a survey conducted recently to check the qualifications of practicing paralegals in the Unites States, employers are sticking to a bachelor?s degree as the basic entry requirement for a paralegal.

This is, no doubt, because the work of a Paralegal entails a commensurate intellectual capacity, just as a lawyer should have, to be able to discharge legal functions either in a law firm or in the legal department of an organization or Government agency.

However, some people who are already working in a paralegal environment may enrol in institutions that offer Paralegal certificates to upgrade their status, but as said earlier, such a person should be a bachelor degree holder.

The paralegal field is vast, so you can choose classes to prepare you for public administration, policy-making, ethics and public responsibility, interviewing and research techniques, writing, introductions to criminal law, commercial law, government law, litigation and management.

To recap, do not enrol in any institution that is not approved by the American Bar Association, most employers will not employ applicants who hold certificates or degrees from such institutions in the United States.

Neshah writes for your success ? visit Online Paralegal Degree Success or Online Paralegal Degree Blog for more information and resources before you embark on online a Paralegal course

Paralegal Schools Can Prepare You for an Exciting Career

Paralegal Schools, colleges, and universities prepare students for an exciting career assisting lawyers in a wide variety of duties. A paralegal's job depends on the type of organization for which they were hired, and many find work as court clerks and judicial assistants.

Paralegals in large law firms, government agencies, and corporations, might choose to specialize in one aspect of law, such as tax, child custody, or real estate. On the other hand, small law firms may expect paralegals to take on a variety of duties that require a general knowledge of law practices.

Paralegals in law firms may assist in preparing for hearings, trials, and meetings; they may investigate case facts and relevant information; or they may determine laws applicable to judicial decisions. Writing reports to help determine case management, preparing arguments, drafting pleadings and motions, assisting in courtroom proceedings, and preparing and organizing materials for lawyers are all common tasks of a well-trained paralegal.

Paralegal Certificate (PC) programs and Associate of Arts - Paralegal (AA-P)degree programs are often available at two-year community colleges. Some four-year paralegal colleges and universities, and some business schools also offer four-year Associate of Arts degrees in paralegal programs. Bachelor of Arts - Paralegal (BA-P) and Bachelor of Science - Paralegal (BS-P) degrees at four-year paralegal universities and colleges provide a solid foundation in the liberal arts and sciences to round out the educational experience. Paralegal School Bachelor degree programs can provide majors, minors, and concentrations in paralegal studies within another major, such as medicine or business. Bachelor degrees in paralegal studies are in-depth programs for students seeking entry-level positions in law firms, or for career advancement in current occupations.

Master of Arts - Paralegal (MA-P) and Master of Science - Paralegal (MS-P) degree programs at graduate colleges and universities provide advanced degree studies in law-related subjects of legal administration and legal studies.

Paralegal School degrees prepare graduates for drafting papers, researching cases, investigation, record-keeping, and administrative functions. While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, they often delegate many of their tasks to their assistants. Paralegals are assuming more legal duties in legal offices, and often perform many of the same tasks as lawyers.

Paralegal School studies will entail computer use and technical knowledge that is essential to performance of work necessary in a law firm. Legal work often requires use of specialized software and research on the Internet.

If you are interested in learning more about Paralegal Schools, or Online Paralegal Schools, please search our site for more information and resources.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. Find Paralegal Training from Colleges, Universities, Online Schools, and Vocational Schools at SchoolsGalore.com.