Becoming A Paralegal

The most-common educational path to becoming a paralegal includes an associates degree.

Becoming a paralegal. Paralegals and legal assistants make a lawyers life bearable. Unlike lawyers who must complete seven years of formal education and pass the bar exam to practice law you can become a paralegal in as little as a few months of study. Becoming a paralegal or legal assistant doesnt just happen overnight.

Pursuing an intensive paralegal certificate program. Thinking of becoming a Paralegal. They blend coursework in legal studies with general education coursework like English mathematics history and the like.

You can obtain a. Paralegal degrees can be completed in four years. To become a paralegal you must first have a high school diploma or a GED.

12 That said if youve already earned a Bachelors or Associates degree in a different field a Paralegal Certificate program can provide you with the specialized knowledge base youll need on the job without requiring more years of schoolingin fact this Certificate program can be completed in as few as 8 months. All you need is a high school diploma or minimal higher education. Becoming a Paralegal is a hugely popular career path taken by graduates and entry level candidates looking to break into the legal profession as well as those who are looking to transition to law from another occupation.

However you will be expected to have a good standard of general education a good understanding of the law and legal system and good administration skills. The paralegal program can be found at trade schools and community colleges across the country. Moreover paralegals do not need to attend a brick-and-mortar institution.

Youll also need to complete a paralegal studies program in order to get a job which will require a high school diploma or GED to enroll in. Post-Degree Certificate of Completion in Paralegal Studies. A bachelors degree in any field plus at least 6 months of paralegal training in-house At least 3 years of experience supervised by an attorney including at least 6 months of training as a paralegal in-house.