More than 1,000 schools offer paralegal programs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the paralegal field expects faster-than-average employment growth. Most entry-level paralegals have either an associate in paralegal studies or a bachelor's degree in another field of study. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that more than 1,000 colleges and universities offer formal training in paralegal studies and approximately 260 of those programs have American Bar Association approval.
National Paralegal College
The Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council accredits National Paralegal College. The school offers certificate programs along with associate and bachelor's degree programs. The certificate program requires either seven months, nine months or 17 months of study to finish. The associate degree program lasts from 15 to 41 months and the bachelor's degree program lasts from three to seven years---all depending on the number of courses taken at one time. Course topics studied under the associate degree program include torts and personal injury, contracts, legal research, writing and civil litigation and criminal law. National Paralegal College features live interactive lectures that are recorded and available for students to review at their convenience.
National Paralegal College
6516 N. 7th St.
Suite 103
Phoenix, AZ 85014
845-371-9101
nationalparalegal.edu
Everest University Online
Everest University's online division offers an associate and Bachelor of Science degree in paralegal studies. Although the school offers ABA-approved paralegal courses, the online paralegal course does not have ABA approval. The associate degree program requires 96 credit hours to complete and the Bachelor of Science program requires 192 credit hours to complete. Core coursework includes topics such as introduction to paralegal, criminal procedure and the constitution, wills, trusts and probate and legal ethics and social responsibility. Additional coursework for the bachelor's degree include law and medicine, real estate law and elder law. Everest has accreditation from the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools.
Everest University Online
6 Hutton Centre Drive
Suite 400
Santa Ana, CA 92707
888-391-8881
everestonline.edu
The Paralegal Institute
The Paralegal Institute offers self-paced study toward receiving an associate degree or certificate diploma in paralegal studies. The school gives students up to two years to complete the associate degree program. After the student finishes the first 10 courses she can sit for the National Association of Legal Assistants certified examination. Core courses in the program consist of paralegal today, legal research, business organizations, contracts and criminal law. The associate degree program requires 60 credit hours for completion while the paralegal diploma program requires 30 credit hours for completion. The school offers financial assistance with guaranteed acceptance and no credit-check; it also accepts automatic payments.
The Paralegal Institute
18275 N. 59th Ave.
Suite 186, Building N
Glendale, AZ 85308
602-212-0502
theparalegalinstitute.edu
Tags: associate degree, degree program, associate degree program, program requires, bachelor degree, credit hours, National Paralegal