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.

Know The Necessity Of Paralegal Education

If you're seriously interested in knowing about paralegal education for paralegal jobs, you need to think beyond the basics. For Colleges where you can earn your Paralegal degree online or throughout the U.S. talk to an Admissions Advisor or google-search paralegal information online today and take the first step in becoming a paralegal.

The paralegal person is very important in the day to day running of legal firms and the legal departments of both Government and Private Organizations. Paralegal training equips Paralegals to have the same insightful knowledge about legal matters as lawyers so that they can be able to organize the efficient function of the law firms and legal departments.

The job of a Paralegal will among other things include preparing case files, indexing documents, interviewing witness, writing legal documents and conducting hearings. The one thing that makes the difference between a lawyer and a paralegal person is court appearance, which a paralegal does not do.

To be able to function effectively in the above capacity, a beginner paralegal should be a holder of a bachelor degree as stipulated by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)

This precondition is not nationally consistent, there is about 50% adherences; with about 30% other paralegals who are making do with associates degrees. The other 20% are people who have learned on the job and working without adequate qualifications.

You know that adequate training and qualification as a paralegal will help you make progress in your paralegal job. If you learned anything new about paralegal education for paralegal jobs in this article, you should go about becoming a paralegal armed with the necessary information you can easily find online.

Recommended: Online Paralegal Degree Success or Online Paralegal Degree Blog for more information and resources before you embark on online a Paralegal course

Take Advantage Of An Exciting Online Paralegal Degree Program

Online degree programs are like the new technical school. They prepare busy people for the rigors of the work place and provide the knowledge necessary for getting a much better job. Specifically, they offer opportunities in new and budding industries where people have a chance to have a great, long career. Most online universities make their living from working professionals in business who want to gain a degree in order to move up in the corporate world. One different type of degree is gaining popularity, though. The online paralegal degree is one that is relatively painless and affords students an opportunity to work in the legal field. Specifically, this degree is aimed at a person who wants to get there quickly.

The best reason for getting an online paralegal degree is because it will give you an opportunity to jump into a lucrative field. With one of these degrees, you can work immediately as a paralegal or a legal assistant for a big firm or a small firm. With that position, you stand to make a good salary with an opportunity for advancement.

Online paralegal degree programs offer the convenience of quickness, as well. Most online paralegal programs can be completed in around one year, meaning that students can enjoy the fruits of their education much quicker than in the past. These universities have degree programs that will immediately prepare students for the rigors of the legal field. In the program, you will learn the skills of the job and the knowledge to do it right. You will also gain a bit of insight on the work ethic and other responsibilities that are essential to success. By choosing an online paralegal degree program instead of a traditional university, one can gain the skills and expertise to succeed at the job, while skipping the unnecessary courses usually assigned by a traditional program. This degree enables graduates to have a very high job placement when they complete the program.

Another extremely valuable component of this degree program is that it will equip you with a bachelor degree that can lead to many other opportunities. Should you enjoy the legal field after working in it, this degree will give you an opportunity to pursue post-graduate work that will make you even more marketable to big companies. In general, this online paralegal degree is simply a stepping stone to much greater things. While it requires only a year to complete, it affords a lifetime of better living.

Many online universities offer paralegal students the option of combining their degree with another program within the university. Many take advantage of the chance to combine their paralegal degree with something in business. A popular program is the applied management degree program in association with the paralegal training. This specific combination of learning will enable workers to work well with attorneys who work on business law and contract litigation. By gaining even more specialization in a field, workers make themselves doubly marketable to potential employers. With this knowledge, there is a good chance that you can do something that your competitor for a position is unable to do.

Online paralegal degree programs afford students with an opportunity to succeed in a very short period of time. Anyone who has a strong desire to work within the legal field and can put up with about a year?s worth of online classes should consider this challenging and exciting career. This small sacrifice can go a long way to establishing a worker in a growing and very competitive industry.

Andy West is a freelance writer for Virginia College. VC Online provides a career focused Online Paralegal Degree program. Please visit Virginia College Online at http://www.vconline.edu/site/program.cfm?Program_ID=24

Paralegal Online Schools

 

Online Paralegal Schools offer studies and degrees in the many responsibilities of legal assistants, or Paralegals. Paralegals perform many of the time-consuming tasks that lawyers would otherwise perform in legal offices. Paralegals, however, may not practice law, setting legal fees, or give legal advice.

Online Paralegal studies prepare students for assisting lawyers to prepare for hearings, trials, meetings, and closings, investigate case facts and relevant information, identify relevant laws and prior judicial decisions, locate legal articles, and prepare and organize materials for lawyers. A well-trained Paralegal will be prepared to write reports that will determine how to handle a case, prepare arguments, draft pleadings and motions, and assist attorneys in the courtroom proceedings.

The duties of Paralegals can vary widely, depending on the type of organization in which they work. Paralegals in small law firms usually are responsible for a variety of duties that require a general knowledge of the law. Large law firms, government agencies, and corporations, however, are more likely to expect Paralegals to specialize in one aspect of law.

Computer use and technical knowledge has become essential to Paralegal work, requiring studies in software and Internet.

If you are interested in learning more about 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.