Law firms and other employers that specialize in legal services are not required to hire paralegals who are certified or who have a specialized education in paralegal studies. However, those that require the paralegals they hire to be educated in legal studies often offer better financial compensation, including yearly bonuses. Additionally, they're likely to make use of the full scope of the paralegal's expertise. If you're embarking on a paralegal career, there are several educational options.
Methods of Education
Associate-degree programs are offered through two-year community colleges, as well as through some four-year colleges and universities. A typical course of study requires the completion of 60 to 70 semester hours, roughly half of which are paralegal courses. Some four-year colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in paralegal studies that require the completion of 120 to 130 semester hours, about 30 to 60 of which focus on legal studies.
If you have a bachelor's degree from a four-year college, you can attend a paralegal-certification program, which range from 18 to 60 semester hours and offer the same courses available to those working toward an associate's or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies. These programs are good for those who want to change the direction of their careers; they often can be completed by attending evening courses.
Paralegals who wish to take their studies to an even higher level can pursue a master's degree in paralegal studies or a related area, such as legal administration.
Before pursuing your paralegal education, it's important to consider the reputation of the school you'll attend. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the American Bar Association (ABA) have approved certain programs and monitor the quality of the education they offer. In fact, some employers will hire only paralegals who have attended a program approved by the ABA or NALA.
Paralegal Course Curriculum
A comprehensive study of the law will be included in any quality degree or certification program, including classes that address specific areas. Paralegals spend entire semesters learning about contracts, civil procedure, real estate law, issues governing wills and probate, criminal and family law, intellectual property, and evidentiary rules and procedures. Usually, several courses are devoted to honing legal research and writing skills.
By the time her education is complete, a paralegal should be able to do many things an attorney can do: brief cases; write complex legal memorandums; interpret statutes and regulations; and perform all types of legal research. However, paralegals cannot represent clients in court or give legal advice.
Practical Skills
Part of a paralegal's education involves the knowledge of practical administrative matters, such as drafting letters to clients, filing documents with the court in a timely manner and court docketing. Many law firms use powerful paid legal research services, such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, and paralegals are trained in use these services efficiently. A paralegal's education also includes training in specialized software used to draft legal documents, such as HotDocs and ProDoc.
Practical Experience
Most programs also require paralegals to complete an internship as part of their education requirements. This involves working a certain number of hours per week at a law firm or with an employer approved by the program director. Additionally, coursework may require a number of volunteer hours at a legal aid clinic or other non-profit entity.
Is Education Required?
Many small partnerships and sole practitioners don't hire legal support staff based on education but on how easily the person can be trained to perform certain tasks that are largely administrative. According to NALA, the average annual salary of a paralegal in 2008 was $48,112. Like those of an attorney, a paralegal's hours are billable, albeit at a lower rate. A "will-train" position advertised at a low hourly rate probably will not require you to have a formal education, merely knowledge of basic administrative and office management skills and/or reception duties in a legal setting.
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