Paralegals and legal assistants are supportive personnel who work at law firms and legal offices. They perform a wide range of services in order to help lawyers prepare for trials and hearings; day-to-day duties include obtaining affidavits and evidence to be used in court, researching case law, filing exhibits and reading trial transcripts. They are also responsible for various tasks related to client recordkeeping, legal documentation and other administrative needs. Paralegals and legal assistants may also contact clients, witnesses and attorneys in order to schedule meetings and legal depositions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly 280,000 paralegals and legal assistants are currently employed in the United States.
A large number of paralegals begin their career with an associate degree program in paralegal studies or another law-related field. Most paralegal studies associate degree options include internships, where students receive supervised training from experienced lawyers and law office personnel. Many of today’s students are choosing to earn their paralegal studies associate degree online. Web-based students follow the same rigorous curriculum as their brick-and-mortar counterparts, leading to the same number of postdegree job opportunities. The asynchronous (or self-paced) structure of most online paralegal studies programs is also ideal for students with part-time jobs, childcare responsibilities and other commitments that may interfere with campus-based learning.
Learn more about what you can do with an online associate degree in paralegal studies program and what kind of career opportunities you can look forward to with this comprehensive guide.
1. Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
This school was founded by the Keiser family in 1977 to better assist adult learners. Their online paralegal degree program is available both on campus and online from each Keiser campus; there are 18 total in Florida. Students must complete 60 credit hours to earn the degree. 24 hours of are in the paralegal studies courses and 36 are general education courses. The program includes classes like Legal Research and Writing, Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, and more. Online learners have access to the Online writing Lab. It helps promote better writing habits by offering feedback on their papers. No prerequisites are required to enter the program. SCHOOL PROFILE
2. Alexandria Technical & Community College
ATCC’s online paralegal degree prepares students for many dimensions of legal work by offering courses in legal procedures, business organizations, estates, bankruptcy, and more. The program is 63 credit hours and requires students to do an internship. Previous experience in English, public speaking, and general communication often prove helpful in the program. Applicants must have obtained a minimum GPA of 2.5 in high school or at their previous college or university. For distance learners who are unable to meet that requirement, ATCC recommends they look into the legal administrative assistant program. The legal assistant program is 60 credit hours and covers a wider range of course subjects. ATCC provides over $400,000 in scholarship funds each year to qualified students. SCHOOL PROFILE
3. Drury University
Drury, a liberal arts college based in Springfield, Missouri, enrolls most students in its College of Continuing Professional Studies, which offers online education to working students. The associate of science in paralegal studies offers a broad overview of the legal system, including the courts; criminal, civil, and constitutional law; and legal practices such as research and interviewing. Graduates, who have an understanding of the major principles, doctrines, rules, and structures of the law, are prepared to work in a variety of legal environments. The paralegal associate degree requires 21 credits of core courses, covering topics such as legal research and writing, litigation, tort law, and family law. The curriculum also includes a three-credit professional practicum experience, which has online learners intern under a professional attorney and apply course learning to real-life legal practice. The internship can be completed within a students’ own community, and the rest of the program uses a fully-online format with no set class times.
4.University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers an innovative approach to online learning, with all courses designed by instructors. Each course may feature different learning methods, from traditional eLearning with textbooks and lectures, to unique uses of blogs, social media, or video chat. Whether you are new to the legal field, or a currently employed paralegal looking to develop your skills, UAF’s online paralegal associate degree helps students take their careers to the next level.
Approved by the American Bar Association, UAF’s paralegal studies program is a two-year commitment, requiring at least 10 credit hours. Several courses, such as those in practical paralegal skills, computers in the law office, advanced legal writing, and a paralegal internship, take place on campus or in a practical work setting. No matter where you live, an advisor will help you find and complete these requirements through local institutions.
5. Minnesota State Community and Technical College
MSCTC offers 25 majors and program online. Their online paralegal program prepares students for a variety of positions in the field, including law firms, court administration, and government agencies. Distance learners are required to earn 60 credits. Subjects studied include: legal research, property laws, wills, and legal ethics. The school maintains a working relationship with Minnesota State University that allows students to easily transfer their credits into any four-year program in the MSU system. Students have online access to the college’s 120,000 full-text reference ebooks. There are no on-campus requirements.
6.Hodges University
Hodges, a private college in Naples, Florida, offers several fully-online programs for working students, including an associate in science in paralegal studies that prepares graduates to work in legal environments. The degree requires 60 credits, including 36 credits of legal studies, 20 credits of liberal arts courses, and a four-credit elective course in an approved subject area. The legal studies core introduces topics such as legal ethics, civil procedure, and criminal law and procedure. The program is unique among most online paralegal associate degrees for its emphasis on eDiscovery and eLitigation—the use of digital information in current legal practice. Students gain the skills to manage information security for clients and law firms. By taking 12 credits per semester, most candidates can complete the program in about two years, though Hodges allows students to take fewer courses if necessary.
7.Southern Utah University
The residential campus of Southern Utah University, located in Cedar City, UT, is ideal for students looking to supplement their academics with outdoor adventures. However, students don’t have to live near the scenic campus to earn their associate degree in paralegal studies.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers an innovative approach to online learning, with all courses designed by instructors. Each course may feature different learning methods, from traditional eLearning with textbooks and lectures, to unique uses of blogs, social media, or video chat. Whether you are new to the legal field, or a currently employed paralegal looking to develop your skills, UAF’s online paralegal associate degree helps students take their careers to the next level.
Approved by the American Bar Association, UAF’s paralegal studies program is a two-year commitment, requiring at least 10 credit hours. Several courses, such as those in practical paralegal skills, computers in the law office, advanced legal writing, and a paralegal internship, take place on campus or in a practical work setting. No matter where you live, an advisor will help you find and complete these requirements through local institutions.
5. Minnesota State Community and Technical College
MSCTC offers 25 majors and program online. Their online paralegal program prepares students for a variety of positions in the field, including law firms, court administration, and government agencies. Distance learners are required to earn 60 credits. Subjects studied include: legal research, property laws, wills, and legal ethics. The school maintains a working relationship with Minnesota State University that allows students to easily transfer their credits into any four-year program in the MSU system. Students have online access to the college’s 120,000 full-text reference ebooks. There are no on-campus requirements.
6.Hodges University
7.Southern Utah University
The residential campus of Southern Utah University, located in Cedar City, UT, is ideal for students looking to supplement their academics with outdoor adventures. However, students don’t have to live near the scenic campus to earn their associate degree in paralegal studies.
Available entirely online, SUU’s paralegal studies program boasts small class sizes and a unique degree plan that prepares students to enter the workforce as a paralegal or criminal justice system professional. Students take 32 credits of general education courses, 12 credits of core courses, and 15 elective credits. Course topics include criminal law and procedure, real estate and property law, and legal research and writing. The completion of a paralegal internship is also required, which must be completed in person and under the supervision of an employed paralegal or attorney. Students may seek local internship opportunities on their own or with the guidance of the program director and faculty members.
Southern Utah University holds accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
8. Eastern Kentucky University
EKU offers a partially online program in paralegal studies. Students are required to be on-campus for 10 credit hours. The 10 credit hours required on-campus are part of an intensive two-week course that provides students with access to working attorneys, judges, and paralegals. Distance learners can use this time to access the law library and the courthouse vault. Online paralegal courses begin every eight weeks; students must complete 64 credits to graduate. Classes in the program include Family Law Practice, Administrative Agency Practice, and Criminal Law Practice and Procedure. Students must complete an internship. Learners can seamlessly transition from an AAS degree track to EKU's BA in paralegal science. A post-baccalaureate paralegal science certificate is also available.
9.Macomb Community College
MCC is a two-year college that serves more than 40,000 students. The school’s associate of applied science in legal assistant is a hybrid program that mixes classroom and online learning. While students are required to visit campus for some courses, about 70% of the curriculum is available completely online. The degree requires a minimum of 67 credits and includes courses such as advanced business communications, administration of estates, and electronic evidence and discovery. Along with the legal studies core, students also select five to six credits of electives to match professional interests. MCC offers several electives relevant to different areas of law, including medical terminology, principles of family law, and proceedings under the federal bankruptcy code. With full-time enrollment, most candidates can complete the paralegal online associate degree within two years.
10. Atlanta Technical College
ATC, part of the Technical College System of Georgia, offers a career-focused education. The school’s associate of applied science in paralegal studies builds the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the legal field, preparing graduates for work in law firms, nonprofits, government agencies, and corporate legal departments. This 69-credit program trains students to prepare legal documents, use legal terminology, perform legal research and writing, and compose legal arguments. The curriculum requires 48 to 51 credits of core occupational courses, including major topics such as civil litigation, tort law, and law office management. Before completing the paralegal associate degree online, all students are required to perform a three-credit internship that builds professional experience in a legal environment. Online learners can arrange internships within their own community, making it possible to complete the degree without visiting campus.
8. Eastern Kentucky University
EKU offers a partially online program in paralegal studies. Students are required to be on-campus for 10 credit hours. The 10 credit hours required on-campus are part of an intensive two-week course that provides students with access to working attorneys, judges, and paralegals. Distance learners can use this time to access the law library and the courthouse vault. Online paralegal courses begin every eight weeks; students must complete 64 credits to graduate. Classes in the program include Family Law Practice, Administrative Agency Practice, and Criminal Law Practice and Procedure. Students must complete an internship. Learners can seamlessly transition from an AAS degree track to EKU's BA in paralegal science. A post-baccalaureate paralegal science certificate is also available.
9.Macomb Community College
MCC is a two-year college that serves more than 40,000 students. The school’s associate of applied science in legal assistant is a hybrid program that mixes classroom and online learning. While students are required to visit campus for some courses, about 70% of the curriculum is available completely online. The degree requires a minimum of 67 credits and includes courses such as advanced business communications, administration of estates, and electronic evidence and discovery. Along with the legal studies core, students also select five to six credits of electives to match professional interests. MCC offers several electives relevant to different areas of law, including medical terminology, principles of family law, and proceedings under the federal bankruptcy code. With full-time enrollment, most candidates can complete the paralegal online associate degree within two years.
10. Atlanta Technical College
ATC, part of the Technical College System of Georgia, offers a career-focused education. The school’s associate of applied science in paralegal studies builds the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the legal field, preparing graduates for work in law firms, nonprofits, government agencies, and corporate legal departments. This 69-credit program trains students to prepare legal documents, use legal terminology, perform legal research and writing, and compose legal arguments. The curriculum requires 48 to 51 credits of core occupational courses, including major topics such as civil litigation, tort law, and law office management. Before completing the paralegal associate degree online, all students are required to perform a three-credit internship that builds professional experience in a legal environment. Online learners can arrange internships within their own community, making it possible to complete the degree without visiting campus.
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