Paralegal programs for college graduates

SAC stresses practical application and the development of job skills as well as legal theory. The program is designed to enhance the ability of students to reason, understand and apply correct legal principles by teaching analytical and critical thinking skills as opposed to rote learning.

As a California community college, Mt. SAC is able to offer students Paralegal courses at affordable tuition and simultaneously provide our students an opportunity to transfer to a four-year institution. SAC prepares students for employment as paralegals in both private and public sectors following graduation.

Graduates of the program can work under the direction and supervision of an actively licensed attorney in the state, but may not work directly with members of the public without such supervision. Obtaining a paralegal degree does not entitle anyone to practice law or to hold themselves out to members of the public as being able to do so. Building Abby Wood. Students who complete the program will not only have the skills necessary to be employed within the legal field as a paralegal, but the skill set they learn is also useful to other professions such as Office Manager, Patent Clerks, Property Managers, Social Services and more.

Duke University is a private, research university which can be found in Durham, North Carolina. Duke was established in and over time it has changed locations and names.

Duke University also has a historic affiliation with the United Methodist Church. Today, Duke enrolls more than 15, students with around 6, of those being undergraduate students. Just a few of the Duke University notable alumni and others associated with the institution are former U. The program is designed for those who have already earned a degree or certificate in paralegal studies or possess an undergraduate degree with three years of work experience as a paralegal.

Students can study at their own pace online and are able to complete the program in as little as six months. Each certificate program consists of four courses, three required and one elective course. Exemptions for previously taken courses are not allowed. However, substitutions can be made for students who wish to specialize in more than one area so that they do not have to repeat courses.

The University of Richmond features a acre suburban campus that is located six miles from downtown Richmond, Virginia. It is a private liberal arts school which was established in Today, over 4, students attend the university with the majority being undergraduate students. UR has an impressive student-to-faculty with around 16 students per class for undergraduate students. The University of Richmond notable alumni includes talented and successful people like Leland D.

It can also help students who are preparing to enter the legal sector either by attending law school or a change in careers. The program requires 21 semester hours which are broken into 18 hours of core coursework and the remaining three hours are elective. Upon completion, students will have gained valuable research and writing skills and have learned the fundamental workings of litigation, the judicial system, as well as Constitutional law. In , Emory University obtained a charter to build at its present location after receiving seed money and a land donation from Asa Candler, the founder of the Coca-Cola Company.

Over time it has received donations from families associated with the Coca-Cola brand including the Woodruffs and the Goizuetas along with the Candlers. Even today, it is considered to be in poor taste to drink other cola brands on campus. Emory University contains nine schools and each with their own admissions process. More than 15, students attend Emory University today, and nearly half of those are graduate students.

The Paralegal Certificate Program from Emory Continuing Education ECE is designed for college graduates who want to gain the skills and in-depth legal knowledge in order to have a successful career in the legal field. The program has multiple courses totaling over classroom hours, and the instructors are experienced and licensed attorneys. Students who participate in the program are eligible to participate in the Paralegal Job Search and Career Development Skills course which helps students prepare to start their new career.

Boston, Massachusetts is home to several fine institutions of higher learning, including Boston University. The current campus area of Boston University is over acres with 17 schools and colleges. BU offers a variety of more than programs of study and has a current combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment of more than 33, students.

The university offers a student-to-faculty ratio and the average class size is approximately 27 students. While there are a large number of Boston University notable alumni and faculty which include ten Rhodes Scholars, six Marshall Scholars, 48 Sloan Fellows, eight Nobel Laureates, 23 recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, one of the most famous is Alexander Graham Bell who invented the telephone at a Boston University lab during his time as a professor.

Boston University offers an Online Paralegal Studies Program which is designed for students who already have an undergraduate degree or have had several years of work experience. As an online program, it is important for students to be able to work independently and have access to either a Mac or PC with a high-speed internet connection. Tablets, however, are unable to perform the functions necessary to complete the coursework. The coursework is set up into seven, two-week long components which cover the essential knowledge of daily work as a paralegal and important areas of legal work involved in professional duties.

Students can also expect to learn the technical tools used in work as a paralegal as well as advanced research and analysis skills as well as the fundamentals of legal writing. Completion of the program prepares students with legal skills used in litigation, real estate law, business law, as well as many other career opportunities for professionals with paralegal skills. You can get started in your paralegal career with as little as an undergraduate certificate , which is the program which requires the least amount of credits to complete.

You can often get your undergraduate certificate in a year or less depending upon the institution. While this may gain entry-level work in the legal field, employers may prefer that those they hire have a degree.

An associate degree in paralegal studies will take students about two years to complete, which will give them more credit hours than the undergraduate certificate as well as a degree in their chosen field.

This is a good choice for students who want to get started working in the field as they pursue a higher degree. Although the field is experiencing growth, having a four-year degree increases your marketability in the legal field. A paralegal graduate certificate program can be completed in as little as six months.

This is ideal for those seeking advanced knowledge and credentials in the field. It also provides an educational route for people who have already gotten a degree in another area but want to enter into the legal field. The length of time it would take you to gain a certificate or degree varies between six months to four years depending on your prior education and what degree or certificate you would like to earn.

This can be earned in as little as six months depending upon the program offered at your institution of choice. For students who have not yet attended college, as you may have read above, there are three choices:. You may be able to get into entry-level positions once you have earned a paralegal certificate. The right program for one person may not suit another. Most paralegal graduate certificate programs take between six months to a year to complete, though part-time enrollment may extend this completion time.

Also, consider which program best fits your budget. Research the estimated total cost for the certificate on each school's website. Typically, students pay less when they complete their certificate program more quickly.

Enrolling in a public institution often costs less than a private school education. Consider the available and required courses, specializations, practicums, and internships. You also need to choose between online and on-campus programs. The flexibility and convenience of distance education leads many individuals to pursue a paralegal graduate certificate online. An online program presents a particularly good option if you plan to continue working full time while earning your certificate.

Students coming straight from an undergraduate program, or who currently do not hold responsibility for other major commitments, may prefer a traditional, in-person program. School location may matter even if you choose an online program.

Some distance programs still require students to come to campus for coursework. Entering the legal field with a paralegal graduate certificate opens up excellent employment and salary opportunities. Education and years of experience may affect salary potential for paralegals. The table below shows the median salary for paralegals by years of experience.

Postgraduate paralegal certificate programs can pursue a variety of career paths in the legal field. Many graduates pursue careers as paralegals, legal assistants, and legal secretaries.

Those with extensive experience often move up to become senior paralegals. Some professionals even pursue work in risk management. All positions take research, communication, and interpersonal skills. A broad interest in the legal field can lead to opportunities in different types of law, including criminal, family, corporate, property, and international. Paralegals provide research assistance to lawyers. They possess skills in litigation, legal research, legal documentation, legal document composition, and Microsoft Office.

They write reports, draft documents, compile evidence, and can bill clients for their work. They can specialize in areas like real estate law, criminal law, and immigration law. Paralegals with graduate certificates demonstrate a higher level of expertise and qualify for more advanced positions.

Legal assistants provide a variety of assistance to lawyers. They take on more of an administrative support role compared to paralegals and usually need less experience and education to find work. Holding a graduate certificate can lead to better compensation and more job opportunities.

Legal secretaries provide a variety of administrative assistance to law offices. Some of their duties include preparing legal documents, billing clients, typing correspondence, managing travel arrangements for lawyers and paralegals, word processing, and occasionally conducting basic legal research.

Holding a graduate certificate can lead to expanded job responsibilities and greater earning potential. Senior paralegals perform more advanced legal work than those with less experience. They provide advanced assistance to lawyers, helping them prepare for hearings, draft legal documents, and perform legal research. Holding a certificate can make you eligible for promotion more quickly. Risk managers help companies address questions and concerns about particular projects and investments.

They help minimize risk by investigating company activities.