Key takeaways
- Many people often confuse paralegals with lawyers or law practitioners, but that is not true.
- Paralegal degrees prepare students to deal with clients, assist lawyers, and take care of many legal-related administrative tasks.
- To pursue a paralegal degree, you typically need a high school diploma, standardized test scores, and other college-specific requirements.
- Paralegal degrees are offered by a number of amazing colleges, such as Arizona State University and Mississippi College.
- Common specializations within a paralegal program include international law, criminal law, cybersecurity, property law, and immigration law.
- Typical employers for paralegal graduates are nonprofit organizations, lawmaking agencies, law enforcement, healthcare, insurance, and private law firms.
- Many schools, like William Woods University, offer paralegal degrees online, allowing flexibility for working professionals.
- While not mandatory, obtaining professional certifications and courses can really help boost your career prospects.
- Private law firms offer the most rewarding career growth opportunities.
- According to BLS, the average pay rate for paralegal professionals in May 2023 was $60,970 per year.
A successful law practice at any scale requires a lot of administrative factors to come together. A law firm, whether for profit, private, or non-profit, has numerous roles to play. Moreover, legal firms deal with very serious aspects that need proficiency and extreme care to handle. Therefore, the paralegal role is one of the most crucial ones ever.
Today, we will look into the role of a paralegal in various industries and companies. Moreover, we will ponder over the details of a paralegal degree, what it entails, and why it’s so important in a successful law career -whether as a firm owner or an employee.
Furthermore, this comprehensive guide also covers important aspects of being a paralegal. Firstly, many people confuse a paralegal and a legal assistant. Legal research functions and other such related aspects are also often overlapping with the role of a paralegal. Therefore, it is important that when you are considering paralegal as a career option, you explore the technicalities involved.
This expert guide by All Bachelor Degrees is going to answer some essential questions to help you manage your college planning effectively. So, let’s get started.
What is a paralegal?
Yes, paralegals and lawyers are closely related professions. Typically, people often confuse paralegals as lawyers who will be dealing with court-related work. However, that is not entirely true, and there is a stark difference between paralegals and lawyers or law practitioners.
Firstly, paralegal professionals work under the supervision of legal professionals such as lawyers. They conduct core and hands-on tasks such as research, data management, documentation, managing case files, and assisting attorneys in trial preparation.
Furthermore, paralegals often work under specific specializations depending on their qualification and areas of interest. Additionally, paralegals are required to have certain qualifications to work under very sensitive legal processions and environments.
If you wish to have a related profession, you must keep on reading to learn more about a paralegal degree.
Do you need a law degree to be a paralegal?
Most of the young students who are considering various career paths and college majors frequently wonder about the necessity of having a paralegal degree to practice it as a profession. To simply answer it, yes, you require a college degree to become a paralegal. However, a law degree is a much more specific and advanced education that deals with professions like lawyers and case representatives. On the other hand, a standalone paralegal degree is more than enough to build a successful career in this field.
Additionally, it is important to note that paralegal professionals are not allowed to practice law as lawyers and other professionals. Their work supports lawyers and focuses on research, documentation, and administrative tasks. A law degree, meanwhile, trains individuals to become attorneys and exceeds the scope of paralegal duties. Therefore, a law degree is not required for this role.
So, simply put, you do not need a law degree to become a paralegal. Most paralegals enter the field with specific education and training that does not require earning a Juris Doctor (law degree). Now, here is an overview of a paralegal degree, what it is, coursework, specializations, and future prospects.
Degree requirements
A college major like a paralegal always has some prerequisites or requirements that you must fulfill. These may vary from college to college but are necessary to fulfill. So, here is a list of some most common paralegal degree requirements you might come across:
- A high school diploma or equivalent
- Standardized test scores like SAT and ACT
- English proficiency test for international students
- Application form and fee
- Personal statements and essays
- Letters of recommendation
- Internships and certifications for completion of degree
- Completing approximately 120 credit hours
- Competition of general subjects as well as electives and specializations
Coursework and program details
To begin with, a paralegal degree typically includes a variety of coursework and teaching methods such as projects, assignments, guest lectures, and final projects. Moreover, different courses and subjects are aimed at developing a variety of knowledge and skill sets that can help graduates succeed in the professional world.
Furthermore, different courses can cover a broad range of topics and crucial aspects. For example, introductory courses provide an overview of the profession, ethics, and legal systems. Additionally, other detailed or specialized courses cover things like research, documentation, the basics of law contracts, case preparations, and an overview of legal proceedings.
These courses are also excellent opportunities for students to interact with industry-level tools and platforms. Moreover, good faculty members are qualified individuals from the specific industry that offer in-depth insights into the world of paralegals.
To help you assess what a paralegal degree will be like, here is a list of courses in a paralegal bachelor degree.
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Specializations in a paralegal bachelor degree
Now, general or foundational courses are only offered during the beginning semesters of your degree. However, as you advance in the degree, you will be required to choose a specialization and take the courses accordingly.
Moreover, specializations are offered depending on different colleges. The availability of specializations depends largely on factors like faculty expertise, demand, and relevance to the current industry trends.
So, here is an overview of the specializations in a paralegal degree that can help you plan your 4-year college journey and beyond.
International law
International law is a common field now with increasing globalization and increasing cross-cultural legal aspects. People specializing in this field assist attorneys in cases involving foreign clients, multinational corporations, or international human rights organizations.
Criminal law
Criminal law specializations are very straightforward with simple career outcomes, such as work opportunities in courts, defense firms, and so on. Paralegals specializing in criminal law assist attorneys by conducting legal research, preparing case files, and working on trial strategies for criminal cases.
Cybersecurity
Essentially, a cybersecurity degree is the ideal pathway to finding jobs in the tech and security industry. However, you can also find work in similar industries and of similar nature by specializing in cybersecurity in your paralegal program. This emerging field focuses on the intersection of law and technology, particularly regarding data protection, privacy, and cybercrime. Paralegals in this area support cases involving cybersecurity threats, cases, and incidents.
You can explore more about cyber security bachelor degrees.
Property law
Property law is one of the oldest yet highly successful specialized fields in the legal and law professions. So, you can choose this as a specialization within your paralegal degree. In particular, a property law specialization enables professionals to handle cases related to real estate transactions, property disputes, and land use regulations. They assist in drafting lease agreements, preparing closing documents, and conducting title searches.
Immigration
In recent times, the immigration landscape has drastically changed, with new technologies and advancements coming into the scene. In particular, an immigration specialization quips paralegals with skills to work on cases involving visas, green cards, asylum applications, and deportation defense. They assist immigration attorneys by preparing forms, gathering evidence, and communicating with clients.
List of colleges with paralegal programs
Now that you have uncovered so much about paralegal degrees, it’s time to finally explore colleges with paralegal programs. Fortunately, there is a wealth of amazing colleges with paralegal majors. However, making the most suitable choice for yourself can be a little overwhelming. So, before we delve into the details of the best paralegal colleges, here is a list of factors you must consider when making the choice:
- College accreditations that can vouch for its education standards
- Program details such as coursework and elective options
- College facilities such as career fairs and student organizations
- Campus location and housing options for on-campus students
- Cost of attendance and financial aid options to ensure a safer 4-year financial commitment
- Acceptance rate and admission criteria
So, here is an overview of the best colleges with paralegal programs.
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona offers the most comprehensive list of hundreds of undergraduate programs, with paralegal being one of them. You can opt for the paralegal bachelor’s degree, or also explore the professional certifications to further enhance your qualifications. Moreover, the college has a remarkable reputation and offers a generous acceptance rate for easier access to all students.
Mississippi College
If you aim to find work opportunities in private law firms, then a paralegal degree from Mississippi College is the best pick. It prepares you for various types of real-world applications, all the while ensuring that the degree meets your particular interests. Some of the key areas in this program are legal ethics, regulations, and research. Lastly, it is a private college known for its specialized faculty and selective admission policies.
Northern Michigan University
At Northern Michigan University, you can find many specializations in the paralegal degree program. For example, the college offers specializations in fields like property law, family law, and cyber laws. Furthermore, the college has a 70% acceptance rate, so finding admission in this institute is going to be easier than other private colleges.
William Woods University
The most notable part about opting for the William Woods University is that it offers a bachelors of arts in paralegal degree online. As a result, you can pursue a professional degree while having a full-time job on the side. Moreover, the online mode of delivery ensures you complete the degree at your own pace and enjoy convenience and cost efficiency as well.
George Washington University
The biggest benefit of studying at the George Washington University is its variety of undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional certifications in the paralegal field. Moreover, the college is highly accredited by the American Bar Association, ensuring that your degree is valued by potential employers.
What are the careers with a paralegal degree?
While deciding which college major to choose, one of the most important questions you must ask is what careers and job outlooks it has to offer. You will be spending a huge sum of money on the degree, along with 4-years worth of your life and lots of effort and dedication. Therefore, making this decision with careful thought and consideration is essential. To help you understand what to expect from this degree and how to plan, here are some important things you should know about a career in a paralegal:
- Paralegals are expected to provide robust and constant legal support. Their work day can include completion of tasks like drafting and managing legal documents, specialized advice in fields like corporate law, and client-facing activities.
- Other than your paralegal degree, you may benefit from getting additional qualifications such as paralegal certifications and courses. These can help you get additional knowledge.
- One of the most challenging parts of a paralegal careers may be dealing and facing clients. This is a sensitive field that can have its own set of challenges.
- A successful career in the paralegal profession requires skills such as organizational skills, research, data analysis, and understanding of legal tools and software.
- As a paralegal, you may opt for work opportunities in private industries to find faster and more rewarding growth opportunities.
Let’s dig in more!
Industries and top employers for paralegal professionals
Once you graduate with a degree for paralegal, you can explore the following industries to find relevant employers:
Real estate
With a specialization in real estate or property law, finding jobs in the real estate industry would be the ideal outcome. In this industry, there are a lot of monetary benefits, but it is a highly competitive space.
Nonprofit
Nonprofits have been around for a long time now, and they are thriving industries with impactful work involved. Therefore, finding work in this industry is an excellent career choice you can explore.
Law making agencies
Undoubtedly, law-making agencies that are backed by the state are going to offer jobs and work opportunities.
Private law firms
Private law firms are known for offering the best work opportunities, perks, and compensation packages. For paralegals, private law firms might not be easy to find work in, but can surely offer fulfilling jobs with lots of growth opportunities.
Healthcare
Due to the complex legal and regulatory structures of healthcare institutions, legal assistance and support is constantly needed. Therefore, paralegals are required for tasks like ensuring patient rights, handling compliance issues, and managing legal disputes.
Insurance
Similar to healthcare, the insurance industry also faces a lot of regulatory and legal hurdles and issues. So, paralegal professionals can provide private firms and even individuals with necessary legal assistance.
Most common jobs for paralegal degree holders
To help you plan your career, here is a list of most common jobs that are offered to paralegal degree holders:
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How much can you make with a paralegal degree?
Many reports and surveys have explored the average salary bracket for paralegal professionals. However, BLS has the most extensive research and statistics that tell us about the prospects of a paralegal degree that can guide you towards the right career choices. Here is a look at how much can you make with a paralegal degree:
- $60,970 per year as of May 2023
- An associate’s degree or bachelors in paralegal is enough to find entry-level jobs
- The employment growth rate projected is slower than other majors
- Variety of job opportunities are office-based and are in a corporate setting
- California has the highest number of employment opportunities for paralegals
- Florida is one of the leading locations for employment concentration
- Legal assistants and related professions find the most jobs in areas like New York
- The highest pay scale for paralegal professionals is found in San Jose
The above statistics and data shows that the career prospects for paralegal degree holders are promising. Therefore, choosing these college majors seems to be rewarding.
Start your paralegal bachelor degree today
In conclusion, you will find a bunch of colleges with paralegal programs offering the most comprehensive coursework. Moreover, paralegal career outlooks are pleasing, ensuring that you are eligible for various work opportunities in fields like nonprofit and legal firms. Additionally, you can also explore paralegal degrees online to enjoy convenience and work-study balance.