How long does it take to get your paralegal certificate

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Self-Paced vs. Traditionally Paced Paralegal Degrees
Hybrid Programs and Heavier Course Loads
Many Paralegal Programs Offer Flexibility in Pacing and Completion
What does it take to become a paralegal in NC?
How much money do paralegals make in Texas?
How much do paralegals get paid in California?
How do you become a paralegal in Alaska?

Paralegals help lawyers and other legal professionals conduct research and organize all facts and information for a particular case. Paralegals are needed for the administrative duties that lawyers do not have the time to invest. Therefore, paralegals are essential to progressing the legal process. To become a paralegal, a student must receive an education where they can handle the processing, critical thinking, and research responsibilities of being a paralegal.

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Type of Education
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paralegal programs can be found at community colleges or 4-year colleges. Community colleges will have associate’s degree programs and a majority of paralegals may take this academic route. However, 4-year colleges do offer bachelors and even master’s degree programs in paralegal work. What all these degree programs share is how they train a person for paralegal work. Students will be taking classes where legal research methods are taught, basic computer work and legal database entry are given, and how to read and understand legal language. Some certificate programs in paralegal work are also available and are sometimes provided by the community or 4-year colleges. However, these degrees are geared toward students who already hold degrees in other subjects. Online degree options are also available for any of these academic routes. Many associate’s programs can be done online or have a distance-education option. An online degree can help many students balance their professional work, perhaps at an entry-level position at a law firm, while earning a paralegal degree.

Length of Education
If one invests in an associate’s degree in paralegal work, the typical program should last about two years or 4 semesters. The students who do take a bachelor’s program in paralegal work will need to be in school for four years or 8 semesters. Much of the bachelor’s degree program will also be devoted to general education requirements. The master’s programs in paralegal work will be about two years or 4 semesters, similar to an associate’s degree. A certificate program should only last a few months or up to one semester.

Other Requirements
Many law firms may want their paralegal applicants to have some office experience after college. In particular, any administrative work at a law office in addition to having a paralegal degree might be an attractive quality to many job applicants. An understanding of education in a particular sub-field of the law might be helpful as well. The BLS gives the example of a person who has a background in health administration or nursing and a paralegal degree might be attractive for lawyers who deal with personal injury. This would mean, however, more schooling or holding dual degrees. Certification by national or state paralegal organizations is also available, however, certification is voluntary nationally. The certification in paralegal work or a sub-field in law could be a positive variable to hold on to a job application, however. Certification is usually given if the person passes an examination.

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Students with an interest in the legal profession are likely considering an online paralegal program, and the time for a paralegal degree to be completed online is a top concern during this process. The good news is that many online paralegal programs actually allow students to combine self-paced classes with a traditional semester structure. This means paralegal programs can take anywhere from one to two years, based largely on how much time the student has available and how much motivation they’ve got to finish the program quickly. When considering the rapidly increasing number of online programs, keep in mind that timing will depend on a few factors.

Self-Paced vs. Traditionally Paced Paralegal Degrees

Most online degree programs require courses to run for a specific number of weeks, ranging from as few as 5 weeks to as many as 9 or 10 weeks. Many paralegal programs also operate within this traditional format, but a growing number are adopting a self-paced structure that allows the student to complete the program only as quickly or as slowly as their free time allows. In this type of program, students typically don’t register for classes in the traditional sense. Instead, they pick from a list of classes for which they qualify, and then work on all kinds of reading and writing assignments within that class. The required assignments are all available at one time, and a professor will review them as they’re submitted.

With no hard deadlines or waiting periods, paralegal students often find that they can complete a single course in as few as two or three weeks. Conversely, more difficult courses can be taken more slowly so that students can properly learn its core objectives. Most schools brag that this self-paced format allows students to complete the paralegal degree in as few as 12 months. The maximum time for completion of these programs is typically three or four years.

Hybrid Programs and Heavier Course Loads

Another great option for students is the hybrid degree program available at many ABA-accredited paralegal schools. These schools tend to reduce the amount of required in-class attendance, often cutting it down to one day per week. Many students will have to attend classes for as little as one hour per week, with self-paced study time at home for the rest of the week.

While this approach is not as convenient as fully online programs, it could allow students to take a heavier course load during each semester and cut the completion time for their degree down to 18 months from two years. This is a significant savings in terms of both time and money, and it’s a great way to gain the benefits of in-class learning, self-paced studying, and ABA accreditation, all at once.

Many Paralegal Programs Offer Flexibility in Pacing and Completion

Today’s paralegal programs have skyrocketed in both size and popularity, thanks to this profession’s growth and its appeal to those students with an interest in law. Perhaps even better than the content taught as part of such a program, many online degree options allow students to study at their own pace, completing coursework as quickly or as slowly as they wish. This dramatically cuts down how long it takes to earn the degree, often removing an entire year from the program. For this reason, students should be aware that the time for a paralegal degree to be completed largely depends on the school and their scheduling style.

What does it take to become a paralegal in NC?

Licensure: There are no licensure requirements for paralegals in North Carolina. Degree: In order to qualify for certification, you will need either a bachelor's degree from a certified program, a paralegal certificate and at least an accredited associate's degree, or a juris doctorate.

How much money do paralegals make in Texas?

How much does a Paralegal I make in Texas? The average Paralegal I salary in Texas is $59,722 as of October 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $52,817 and $67,434.

How much do paralegals get paid in California?

How much does a Paralegal I make in California? The average Paralegal I salary in California is $67,935 as of October 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $60,080 and $76,706.

How do you become a paralegal in Alaska?

Alaska state law does not require that paralegals meet training or education requirements prior to employment. Thus, aspiring paralegals can begin their careers either by earning a certificate or degree in paralegal studies.