Paralegal Degrees
To learn how to become a paralegal begins with having an understanding about the paralegal profession and the skills required to be successful. The National Federation of Paralegal Associations NFPA defines a paralegal as "a person qualified through education, training, or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts as customarily, but not exclusively performed by a lawyer. This person may be retained or employed by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency or other entity or may be authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to perform this work."
Paralegals are trained in many specialized services, such as, but not limited to performing interviews and investigations, legal writing, critical thinking, and legal research. The role of paralegals has become increasingly crucial in assisting attorneys with the preparation of depositions, trials, and meetings. Paralegals are bound by the same ethical rules of the supervising attorney and the rules set by the paralegal professional association in addition paralegals are not authorized to practice law.
There are many different areas of law a paralegal can be specialized in such as civil litigation, criminal, business, administrative, real estate, and tort law among others. There are four common types of programs to master one or more of these specialized fields of studies.
1. Associates Degree is a two-year program with a requirement of 60 to 70 semester units. Generally these classes consist of general education courses and paralegal courses.
2. Bachelor Degree is a four-year program and requires 120-130 semester units with 30-60 completed units "associates degree." Some bachelor degree programs may be specific, that is, the paralegal student may study a particular field of law such as personal injury or business law.
3. Certificate programs are offered by various educational institutions. The programs usually required 18-60 semester units consisting of general education and paralegal courses. The certificate program is normally taken by a student who has an associate or baccalaureate degree.
4. Master's degree an undergraduate degree paralegal program and is offered by a few colleges and universities within the advance paralegal and law related studies such as legal administration.
Some states require paralegal students to attend an ABA approved school as well as take a certification exam to practice as a paralegal. Once you have outlined which program and specialty that best fits you, you are ready to start your educational journey in becoming a paralegal. As with any education program, you must be committed to your studies to be successful. Further, while you embark on your paralegal studies if not already working for a law firm, seek employment at a law firm preferably part-time this will help develop your skills as a paralegal. For more information about the paralegal profession, I recommend visitingThe National Association of Legal Assistance.
