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Choosing the Right Paralegal Courses
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Kent Pinkerton
Paralegals typically have a bachelor's degree to help them
professionally assist lawyers or corporations and government
agencies dealing with the law. Paralegals help lawyers navigate
the large amounts of paperwork generated in legal proceedings by
indexing, photocopying, and filing. Paralegals also may hold
hearings or interview witnesses. A job as a paralegal may help a
recent college graduate get into law school, it may help a
professional make connections and gain experience to enter law,
business, or government, or it may be a rewarding career in
itself.
In 2001, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations
(NFPA) estimated that 84 percent of paralegals had formal
paralegal education beyond an associate's or bachelor's degree.
Numerous courses exist to help paralegals advance their careers.
Before choosing any program, however, the NFPA urges paralegals
to critically evaluate the program. Make certain the program is
approved by the American Bar Association. The NFPA provides a
list, for a small fee, of accredited paralegal training
programs. Online directories can also help a paralegal find a
program, either online or at a local college or university.
Many of these paralegal programs are also online. A quick search
on the Internet reveals several online paralegal courses. Kaplan
University, Keiser College, Saint Leo University, the University
of Phoenix Online, and Berkeley College all offer online
paralegal education programs. Online schools can lead to
paralegal certificates, paralegal associate degrees, paralegal
bachelor's degrees, or law certificates. Online courses let
paralegals learn, for the most part, at their own pace.
Online introductory courses prepare a paralegal for the legal
environment. More advanced studies allow paralegals to learn
about management, or specialize in fields like civil litigation,
criminal law, or business contracts. Online courses may also
boost the career of an experienced paralegal who does not have a
bachelor's degree.
Online courses allow paralegals to learn more and specialize,
opening the door to more opportunities for advancement in this
rapidly growing field.
About the author:
Paralegals Info
provides detailed information about paralegal jobs, schools,
training, courses, certificates, and services. Paralegals Info
is the sister site of Notary Public Web.
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