If you are considering a new vocation and wondering how to become a paralegal this article will be very important to you. Job prospects for paralegals and legal assistants are on the rise according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, with the employment of these professionals expected to grow by 28 percent above current levels through 2018. With median income for a paralegal ranging from $44,480 to $58,540, depending on where and by whom they are employed, if you’re a detail-oriented individual with an interest in the law, and don’t mind working long hours, you may want to investigate becoming a paralegal as your profession.
Why Should I Learn How To Become a Paralegal
Paralegals can play a large role in a legal office, performing many of the same tasks as lawyers, though behind the scenes; paralegals are restricted from giving legal advice or presenting cases in court. Paralegals may investigate the facts of a case, prepare reports on the facts for lawyers, identify judicial arguments helpful to lawyers in a case, help the attorney prepare arguments, draft documents, prepare affidavits, and organize and track files during a case.
Working as a paralegal is also a way for potential law students to get a glimpse at the inside workings of a law office and what it might be like to be a lawyer. Outside legal offices, paralegals may work in government offices, corporate legal departments, and can even set up shop independently, offering their services on a freelance basis.
Educational Options: How To Become a Paralegal
While a limited number of employers may train paralegals on the job, the surest route to becoming a paralegal is to enroll in a formal training program. Many community colleges offer two-year associate’s degrees in paralegal studies. Additionally, if you already have a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college, you may qualify as a paralegal by earning a certificate in paralegal studies.
Some employers prefer to hire paralegals who have received a certificate in addition to a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, as they may have a better understanding of the legal profession and the well-rounded background of a liberal arts education. Some certificate programs may only take a few months to complete, but should include at least 18 credit hours of paralegal coursework including procedural law, legal research and writing, ethics and specific areas of legal practice.
More than 1,000 colleges and universities across the U.S. have these paralegal training programs available, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 260 programs are approved by the American Bar Association. Completing an ABA-approved paralegal program can give applicants a leg up in applying for jobs, but is not required.
What Program Options: How To Become a Paralegal
When deciding if you want to learn how to become a paralegal assistant you will want to discover which–if any–paralegal certificate program to complete, do your research. Not all programs are of the best quality. The BLS recommends looking at the program’s track record of securing employment for recent graduates, as well as what they include as part of the program, before making a decision. A good-quality paralegal program–of any length–should include training in legal research and the use of computers and specific legal databases and software programs frequently used by paralegals. The opportunity for an internship with a private law firm, public defender’s office, corporate office or other entity can be a valuable element in a paralegal training program as well.
In addition to these basic educational requirements, some potential paralegals–as well as practicing paralegals–may find it pays off to become certified as a paralegal by a national, statewide or local professional paralegal association. Different than a certificate program, certification usually involves meeting specific educational criteria, such as having a certificate or degree, as well as passing an examination and completing a specified amount of continuing education courses to keep skills and knowledge up to date. While certification is not often a requirement of employment, it is a signal to employers that you are a skilled, have been educated on how to become a paralegal and are a competent paralegal who will be an asset to their organization.