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

Beware Of Diploma Mills - If You Are Interested In Studying A Paralegal Course Online

If you are looking for an online paralegal course, you must have decided to finally give your career a boost or you're a fresher who has interest in becoming a Paralegal.

If you have been working and decide to up your career by returning to school to earn your paralegal degree online, then you must be careful not to make the mistakes most people in your shoes readily make.

It's important that you carefully seek out your options before entrusting yourself to an online college or university; most of them are mere diploma mills.

Of course there are several advantages in doing an online paralegal degree program. Below are some of the advantages:

• An online course allows you to continue to work while studying.
• You also have the advantage of studying at your own time and pace
• Fees for online paralegal course may be paid in modules.
• Your degree is not inferior to degrees from conventional Universities

However, as said earlier, you must ensure that you choose your online institution or University right. The best online institutions are, usually accredited Paralegal institutions are members of National Paralegal Associations, especially online institutions that run American Bar Association approved Paralegal courses. Yes, those are the ones that should catch yours eyes as you search for your ideal Paralegal institution online.

After you have picked a desirable online paralegal institution, you can source for a financial aid package, such as Stafford Loans or Perkins Loans, for your Paralegal course program.

Let me emphasis this:

No degree is worth the paper on which it is printed if the holder is unable to discharge responsibilities expected from the holder of such a qualification. And there is no way you can justify your degree if you were not a diligent student, so, if you are prepared to advance your career or pick a Paralegal career, work your course to equip your self for the challenges of a Paralegal job. It is a challenging job, but the reward is huge.

Neshah writes for your Success. Recommended: Online Paralegal Degree Success blog or Online Paralegal Degree Success Website, 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.

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

Get Your Online Paralegal Education From The Center For Legal Studies

The Center for Legal Studies (CLS) started offering legal training in 1980 and have helped thousands of students from over 1000 colleges and universities across the country. It is one of the oldest and most respected law-related training centers in the country.

CLS offers online training for the following qualifications: Legal Secretary Certificate Course, Paralegal Certificate Course, Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course, Legal Investigation Certificate Course, Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate Course and Law School Preparation Course.

The Paralegal Certificate Course is the foundation on which the CLS syllabus is built. It is a practical paralegal education and is among the top 20 courses in one of the fastest growing occupations.

The Advance Paralegal Certificate course builds on the bases of the first paralegal course. This comprehensive training course was designed to fullfil the standards set by the California Commerce and Professional Code 6450.

The Legal Secretary Certificate is meant to help new and veteran secretaries to be able to perform efficiently in a law office. This training class covers a wide variety of secretarial duties, and also legal aspects, like ethics, terminologies, processes and jurisdiction. The secretarial aspects cover among others records organization, legal research, memoranda preparation, time management and filing procedures.

After completing the Legal Investigation Certificate Course the student will be able to assist attorneys, paralegals, insurance companies and private businesses, as well as state and federal government agencies, in the process of civil and criminal investigation. The course also covers how to create a freelance investigation business.

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate Course teaches the students participate in conflict mediation processes. The course covers both traditional and non-traditional dispute resolution options.

As the name suggests the Law School Preparation Course is to prepare students that are interested in going to law school or anyone considering a course in law. Over the last 27 years Professor Scott Hatch, JD, has worked to demystify the study of law. This class will teach you why law studies is different from studying any other discipline.

Ian Callis is a writer and website publisher, including the website called education in vital where you can find information and news about several aspects of education among which the section about online education. Please visit us at educationisvital.com

Legal and Paralegal Education

Prospective students who are interested in attaining legal and paralegal education should know that many community colleges, online schools and trade schools offer these academic law programs.

While some vocational schools do offer Bachelor and Master Degrees, most vocational academic institutions offer Associate Degree programs in legal and paralegal education, which are designed to provide students with the basic skills to earn professional certification.

Of the many law schools and legal and paralegal schools in the U.S., nearly a quarter of them are approved by the American Bar Association. Typical curriculums (in addition to standard academics) would include legal software applications, legal terminology and documents, and other relevant subjects of study.

After completion of a legal and paralegal education, and upon attaining sufficient work experience, graduates may opt to take the National Association of Legal Assistants Exam (NALA). Once the candidate has passed the NALA exam, he or she is qualified to carry the "CLA" (Certified Legal Assistant) title. Students may also take the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam after attaining a Bachelor's Degree, plus two years of on-the-job experience. Passing this exam enables students to use the title Registered Paralegal (RP).

Earnings for paralegals can be quite excellent, as the median annual salary of paralegals and legal assistants is roughly right around $40,000. With an extensive legal and paralegal education and combined work experience, professionals in this field can earn as much as $60,000 annually.

If you would like to learn more about Legal and Paralegal Education or even Online Legal and Paralegal Schools, you can find more in-depth information and resources on our website.

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.

Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved by SchoolsGalore.com, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Legal and Paralegal Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools, and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.

Want Adventure? Explore Paralegal Colleges

Don't assume just yet that the life of a paralegal is boring. In fact, it can be everything but. From working on high-profile cases to interesting investigations, those that graduate from paralegal colleges not only have rewarding careers, but exciting ones. If you want a taste of the thrills of paralegal careers, it may be time for you to enroll in one of many paralegal colleges. But before you send your application to paralegal colleges, here's a glimpse into paralegal careers. Are you cut out for the excitement paralegal colleges can bring you?

They Don't Teach This at Paralegal Colleges...
Such is the case for Bill Harrison, now a paralegal and legal assistant specialist for a reputable agency. Before his current position, Harrison spent part of his career tracking down fugitives, murder suspects, jail escapees as a paralegal during his tenure at a public defender?s office. "We were defending a guy recently charged with murder once," he explains. "The defendant allegedly held up the owner of a coin-operated laundry room." When the owner refused to hand over money, he was shot and killed. Upon the defendant's arrest, he asked for a public defender. And that's when Harrison and his agency steps in.

"While the man was in jail awaiting trial, he escaped as a result of a 'mishap' at the jail," he recalls. The fugitive squad of the sheriff's department gave Harrison the opportunity to go on a ride-along late one night as they attempted to apprehend the suspect. The defendant later surrendered when contact was made.

Opportunities After Education at Paralegal Colleges
If you work at the district attorney's office, Harrison attests, there are plenty of exciting opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants. From assisting with the investigation to attending and assisting with trial, just to name a few. And all it takes is a degree from one of the many paralegal colleges or something related. "I have a bachelor's degree in criminology and corrections. Normally, employers require either a four-year degree or a paralegal certificate," Harrison explains. Enrolling in programs at paralegal colleges can take you to the next step of employment in an exciting field like working with the district attorney.

Harrison also advises aspiring those considering paralegal colleges to be creative and understand the role they will play. "As a paralegal, you have to be willing to assist in every aspect of a case," Harrison explains. "Paralegal responsibilities are always changing so you can look forward to more responsibilities."

A Typical Day for a Paralegal
Keep in mind, it's not all thrills and excitement, car chases and crime scenes. When it comes to day-to-day duties, paralegals have to engage in some clerical tasks like filing legal papers at the courthouse, drafting legal documents (which can take up most of the day), and other paperwork. "This all depends on the field you choose," surmises Harrison. "There are paralegals at The Weather Channel that draft and assist in drafting contracts for video. There are also paralegals at Turner Broadcasting that research movie rights and clearances before a movie can be shown on TV."

For Harrison, he took a different approach to his career. Instead of going the route of many graduates from paralegal colleges -- to work as a paralegal -- becoming a legal assistant was just one of the levels to his ultimate goal. "For me a career as a paralegal was a step," Harrison asserts. "The final step is to become a lawyer. My ultimate goal is to practice law."

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