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The need for
trained legal professionals and paralegals is expected to grow
faster than the national average for job growth within the next
five years. Stiff competition is expected, making your decision
to enter the legal profession a critical one. The school or online
college you choose will be a crucial decision affecting the level
of success you enjoy.While paralegals and legal assistants once
were trained on the job, employers today are increasingly depending
upon employees who have already completed some type of formal
legal education or training. That's why a legal or paralegal certification,
degree or online degree is so important to your future success
in the legal profession.
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One of a paralegal's
most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings,
hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Your classes and online
programs will teach you to investigate the facts of cases and
ensure that all relevant information is considered. Colleges and
online schools also will teach you critical skills such as preparing
the legal arguments, drafting pleadings and motions to be filed
with the court, obtaining affidavits, and assisting attorneys
during trials.
Once you have
earned your legal certification, or online legal degree, you
will be able to find work in all types of organizations, but most
are employed by law firms, corporate legal departments, and various
government offices. Your degree program or online courses will
prepare you for work in all areas of the law, including litigation,
personal injury, corporate law, criminal law, employee benefits,
intellectual property, labor law, bankruptcy, immigration, family
law, and real estate. Because computer use and technical knowledge
has become essential to paralegal work, a well-rounded degree
program or online program is critical.There are several ways to
become a paralegal. Increasingly, employers prefer graduates of
four-year paralegal programs or college graduates who have completed
paralegal certificate or online paralegal training programs.
Over 800 formal
paralegal training programs are offered by 4-year colleges and
universities, law schools, community and junior colleges, business
schools, and proprietary schools.
Paralegal
programs include 2-year associate's degree programs, 4-year bachelor's
degree programs, and certificate programs that take only a few
months to complete. Many certificate programs only require a high
school diploma or GED for admission, but they usually are designed
for students who already hold an associate or baccalaureate degree.Your
legal or paralegal education will prepare you for a rewarding
and relaxed life. According to the National Association of Legal
Assistants, paralegals had an average salary of $38,000 in 2000.
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