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If you’re interested in working in the legal profession but not as an attorney, an online paralegal degree may be for you.

Paralegals are becoming increasingly important in law firms, government offices, and corporate legal departments around the country as they seek to reduce operating costs; paralegals, sometimes called legal assistants, help lawyers in many ways and now even perform many duties formerly performed by young attorneys.

While no formal education is required by most states to become a paralegal, those with specialized training and paralegal degrees are looked upon most favorably by employers. Accordingly, an online paralegal degree is becoming increasingly essential for those who wish to work as paralegals.

If you’re ready to learn more about earning your online paralegal degree, read on.

What is an online paralegal degree?

An online paralegal degree prepares its holder to work as a paralegal, a legal professional who assists attorneys in a variety of tasks from researching cases to finding witnesses. Although in the past, many paralegals were trained entirely on the job, this practice is becoming less common as employers actively seek candidates who hold paralegal degrees.

Most states do not have specific educational requirements to become a paralegal, but many employers do request certification, which is granted by several professional organizations, each with different educational and experience requirements:

• American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc.: Offers the American Alliance Certification Program (AACP).
• National Association for Legal Professionals: Offers Professional Paralegal (PP) certification.
• National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA): Offers Certified Legal Assistant (CLA), Certified Paralegal (CP), and Advanced Paralegal certifications.
• National Federation of Paralegal Association: Offer Registered Paralegal (RP) certification.

In addition to educational and experience requirements, the latter three organizations also require the successful passing of an exam for certification.

What types of online paralegal degrees are available?

Online paralegal degrees are available at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels under the umbrella term of “Paralegal Studies.” Online certificate paralegal programs are also available, and typically last from three to 24 months.

Depending on your program and interests, you may also be able to take related courses in the various areas of the law, criminal justice, social services, or real estate.

What are online paralegal degree programs like?

Online paralegal degree programs teach students about various aspects of the law, but most importantly about legal research methods, which are central to a paralegal’s job duties. In particular, classes on computer legal research are standard.

In addition to coursework, most online paralegal degree programs also include an internship during which students earn valuable on-the-job experience at law firms, government agencies, or other places that employ paralegals.

Students may also choose to specialize within the paralegal program if they know they would like to work in a particular field such as real estate or medical malpractice.

What do paralegals do?

Paralegals spend much of their time in an office or legal library, at a computer with legal books and documents, but may also travel for various work-related reasons. They are responsible for assisting attorneys in many ways, including:

• Researching and preparing legal and court documents
• Drafting contracts, trusts, and mortgages
• Preparing for closings, hearings, and trials
• Analyzing law and facts and forming legal arguments
• Investigating claims
• Handling court paperwork from subpoenas to affidavits
• Organizing and tracking case files
• Finding and interviewing witnesses

By law, paralegals are prohibited from “practicing law,” which includes presenting cases in court, offering legal advice, accepting clients, and setting legal fees.

What qualities should paralegals have?

Paralegals should be responsible, reliable, organized, and have excellent written and oral communication skills for interactions with supervising attorneys, clients, witnesses, and other people they may come into contact with during the course of their duties.

A strong understanding of the legal system and legal terms as well as superior research, writing, and investigative skills are also helpful. Moreover, since computers are increasingly replacing books as legal research tools, a good level of comfort working on computers and on the Internet is essential.

What is the salary and job outlook for paralegals?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median annual earnings of paralegals were $43,040 in May 2006, with the middle 50% earning between $33,920 and $54,690. Note that salaries vary widely depending on location, type of employer, education, training, and experience.

Through 2016, job growth for paralegals is expected to be “much faster than the average” at 22%. Especially hot areas for paralegals will be in community legal service programs, elder law, environmental law, health care (including medical malpractice), intellectual property, international law, product liability, and real estate.

As those with paralegal degrees will have the best opportunities in the field, earning an online paralegal degree is an excellent way to enter the profession.