The Best Online Paralegal Degree Programs

Online Paralegel Programs

Law firms and businesses rely on paralegals and legal assistants to perform a variety of legal tasks. Students interested in online paralegal programs can earn an online paralegal certificate, an online paralegal associate degree, or an online paralegal bachelor's degree.

Paralegals help lawyers prepare for trials and meetings; they also conduct research on relevant laws and regulations, study legal articles, and create reports. Their responsibilities vary depending on the type of legal practice; some paralegals help prepare mortgages and other financial documents, while others investigate, collect, and organize evidence for court hearings. Paralegals in large firms often specialize in a particular area of law, whereas those in small firms often work on cases from beginning to end.

The paralegal profession has expanded in recent years as public agencies, private law firms, and corporations recognize that employing paralegals increases their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The minimum education required for paralegals is a certificate in paralegal studies. However, employers Typically, prefer candidates with more education.

Bachelor’s programs in paralegal studies are less common than paralegal certificate and associate programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some aspiring paralegals earn a bachelor’s degree in another subject, such as criminal justice or law, and then pursue a paralegal certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paralegal Programs

Featured Associate Programs

The Best Online Paralegal Programs

What is a Paralegal Certificate?

A paralegal certificate provides the basic qualifications for paralegal positions. These programs focus primarily on core concepts in the field. While some programs confer a non-credit paralegal certificate, others award credit that learners can apply toward an associate or bachelor’s degree. Depending on the program, students can earn a paralegal certificate in as few as six months.

What is a Paralegal Associate Degree?

Students earning an associate in paralegal studies online complete major courses and general education requirements. Students in these two-year programs gain more foundational knowledge than learners in paralegal certificate programs. Associate coursework Typically, covers topics including English, communications, math, and foreign languages. Online paralegal associate degrees may offer concentration options and often include an internship or practicum experience, which may be optional or mandatory.

Accreditation for Online Paralegal Programs

Though paralegals cannot receive certification from the American Bar Association (ABA), they can earn their education from ABA-approved programs. Because ABA requires programs to meet a difficult set of criteria, ABA approval demonstrates high quality. ABA-approved online paralegal programs must include at least 10 on-campus semester hours. Entirely online paralegal programs cannot receive ABA approval.

Based on input from legal professionals, corporations, government agencies, and local bar associations, ABA-approved programs feature curricula designed to prepare paralegals for the workforce. A degree from an ABA-approved program is an attractive credential for job seekers. Only about 25% of the country’s paralegal associate and bachelor’s programs hold ABA approval.

How Long Does It Take to Complete a Paralegal Program Online?

Students can earn an online paralegal certificate in as few as six months. However, professionals with more education generally enjoy increased career opportunities. Completing a two-year associate or four-year bachelor’s program can lead to more job options and higher earning potential. Some individuals earn a certificate and work in the field while pursuing a degree.

Courses in an Online Paralegal Certificate Program

• Essential Skills for Paralegals: This course introduces students to the legal field, including legal terminology. Learners study real legal cases and prepare to interview clients and identify different types of evidence. Students also learn how to use legal research tools and prepare summonses.
• The Legal Environment: Students learn basic skills necessary to work in law firms, including how to track billable hours and maintain client files. The course also covers the ABA rules of ethics, to which all attorneys must adhere. Students learn how to access state and federal court files using Lexis and Westlaw.
• Civil Litigation: Students explore legal theory and practical legal skills. The class covers the entire legal process involved in a civil case, including the client interview and the post-judgement. Students learn how to preserve evidence, draft pleadings, draft interrogatories and requests, create digests, and draft motions.

Courses in an Online Paralegal Associate Program

• Legal Systems and Terminology: This introductory course helps students gain basic skills, such as summarizing and analyzing court cases and filing cases in the court system. The class covers legal terms that attorneys and paralegals use every day. Students also learn how to access resources in a law library.
• Legal Ethics: Students learn about the ethical rules that apply to legal professionals. Coursework covers rules of professional conduct, conflicts of interest, and how to protect confidentiality. Students study the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct. They also learn how to appropriately use of electronic communications, including emails and social media.
• Legal Research and Writing: This course teaches students how to research statutes and analyze court decisions. Students learn how to use case digests to find state and federal cases. They also examine the proper format and language for legal documents. Students learn to write citations in accordance with the Washington Style Sheet and Uniform System of Citations.

Becoming a Certified Paralegal

While the profession does not require certification, certification Typically, leads to more career opportunities for paralegals. Many employers require or prefer paralegals with professional certification. To become a certified paralegal, candidates must meet the educational requirements of the certifying organization and must pass one or more certification exams. Some associate programs feature curricula designed to meet certification standards.

Paralegal Certification Exams

Candidates for paralegal certifications must Typically, pass an exam, such as:

• The Paralegal Core Competencies Exam
• The Certified Paralegal/Certified Legal Assistant Exam
• The Professional Paralegal Exam

Choosing an Online Paralegal Studies Program

Educational outcomes and learning experience vary by program, so students pursuing an online paralegal associate degree should research their options before selecting a school. Because earning a college degree requires significant financial and time commitments, students should choose an accredited online paralegal associate degree that helps them achieve their career goals. Along with tuition rate, prospective students should consider the length, transfer policy, and average class size of each program. The list below includes crucial factors to consider when evaluating prospective schools.

• Program Cost: The cost of earning a degree depends on various factors. In-state learners often pay lower tuition rates than out-of-state students, and online students may save money on tuition, transportation, and housing. Part-time learners Typically, pay more overall, although their cost per semester may prove lower than that for full-time students.
• Transfer Policies: Regionally accredited institutions rarely accepts credits earned through nationally accredited schools. Learners planning to transfer to a four-year school after earning their associate degree should research prospective schools’ transfer agreements and policies before enrolling. Additionally, students with previous academic or professional experience should look for schools with generous transfer policies or options to receive credit for work experience.
• School Size and Type: Some students prefer small class sizes, while others enjoy the resources and extracurricular activities available on larger campuses. Schools generally provide information about average class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios. Private schools Typically, offer smaller class sizes than public schools. However, private colleges tend to list higher tuition rates than public institutions.
• Program Length: Students planning to earn a certificate or an associate in paralegal studies online should consider each prospective program’s length. Paralegal certificate programs generally take about six months to complete, and an online paralegal associate degree Typically, takes two years. Each student’s program completion time depends on their personal situation and enrollment status. Part-time students Typically, take longer to graduate than full-time students.
• On-Campus Requirements: Students who take classes on campus must regularly commute to school. Learners considering on-campus or hybrid programs should ensure that they can fit these synchronous obligations into their schedule. Students pursuing on-campus learning should also choose a school with a reasonable commute or factor the cost of relocation into their budget.

What Do Paralegals Do?

Paralegals help lawyers prepare solid cases. They gather information, conduct research on relevant laws and legal precedents, write reports, organize documents, and contact clients for interviews. While they assist lawyers, paralegals cannot perform acts that require a legal license, including offering legal advice and setting legal fees.

Generalist paralegals often work in small law firms. They must know about a variety of legal areas and prove adept at performing many tasks. Aspiring paralegals can also specialize in a certain area or pursue certification in a niche. Common specialization areas for paralegals include:

Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant

Law offices and professional organizations often use the terms “paralegal” and “legal assistant” interchangeably. Firms may use the term “legal assistant” to describe the nature of a paralegal’s job, which includes assisting legal professionals with cases. Legal secretaries, on the other hand, have fewer responsibilities and more limitations than paralegals. Legal secretaries Typically, answer phone calls, manage front desks at law offices, and forward memos.

Salary Information for Paralegals

The salary of a paralegal depends on the professional’s specialization area, experience level, and industry. According to PayScale, senior paralegals earn the highest salaries, averaging $73,361 per year, and litigation paralegals earn the lowest, with an average salary of $61,107 per year.

A paralegal’s industry significantly impacts their earning potential. The BLS reports that the highest-paid paralegals work in finance and insurance, where they earn a median annual salary of $73,050.

Salary by Experience for Paralegals

Source: PayScale

Source: PayScale

Source: PayScale