For recent graduates and working professionals who want to enter the field of law without earning a law degree, an online paralegal degree is the right choice. The online paralegal degree will essentially help you perform various functions critical to a law firm. This includes researching the facts of cases, ensuring that all necessary information is considered, and identifying appropriate laws, court decisions, legal articles, and other materials relevant to assigned cases. This is a fast-paced profession with a lot of excitement. Today, paralegal graduates do most of the work that was once done by lawyers. The main duty of a legal assistant is to acquire all the necessary information so that an attorney can argue the case in favor of his client.
A paralegal degree is often convenient, affordable, and fun to learn. About 1,000 colleges and universities, law schools, and proprietary schools offer training in paralegal studies. The American Bar Association has approved about 260 paralegal programs.
The educational requirements to do an online paralegal degree are:
- Students must provide certificates of their high school diploma or GED scores.
- Aspiring students must have very strong communication skills to be successful in this profession.
The course syllabus trains students with practical examples of a particular case. Gradually, students learn the skills and process of investigating a particular case. They are also trained to understand court decisions, articles related to the law, and other relevant matters.
Experts in the field have predicted that by the year 2014, job opportunities in the field are bound to reach a commendable level. Upon successful completion of the online paralegal degree, job opportunities include working as paralegals or as a paralegal specialist. Most paralegal studies graduates are recruited by private law firms.
List of Schools and Universities that Offer Online Bachelor of Paralegal Studies
- Keizer University and Online Campus, Fort Lauderdale
- Kaplan University, Chicago
- Strayer University, Salt Lake City
- Ellis University, Chicago
- University of the South, Savannah
- Herzing College Online, Kansas City
- Everest University, Santa Anna