Online Paralegal Courses: Flexible Options for Busy Legal Professionals

Paralegals are legal professionals who assist attorneys with legal work. Although they work with their attorneys and often do much of the legal work, they work under the direct supervision of the attorney. Paralegals do not practice law.

Paralegal courses are designed to help individuals develop the basic legal knowledge and research skills they need to work as legal professionals. Many obtain basic legal knowledge while working as legal secretaries and legal assistants (these are two separate jobs in a law firm).

A paralegal is not licensed to practice law though they work under the direct supervision of their attorneys. Paralegal courses teach students the legal knowledge and research skills that they need to work as a professional paralegal. These courses are taught in-person, online through organizations like the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), and via online college courses. Most online courses offer certifications and advanced degrees once you complete the basic course.

What Are Online Paralegal Courses?

Online paralegal courses are offered in a 100% remote setting. Classes may operate traditionally, with students logging in to a virtual classroom on a set schedule, or they may be self-paced — where students download lectures and assignments and turn them in as their schedule permits.

These asynchronous courses offer students the greatest flexibility to coordinate their work, classes, and personal life. For instance, Cal State University (CSU) East Bay has both asynchronous and synchronous paralegal programs. Students must complete at least nine units (three classes) in the synchronous program to complete their certificate.

Both synchronous and asynchronous online courses have the same course load. Students learn the computer-based skills that paralegals need in today’s law firms. These skills require minimum class time and maximum practice to hone to a fine point. These computer-based skills include:

• Legal research:

a skill that is learned by using online tools such as Westlaw and Lexis.

• Legal writing:

practicing citations, memoranda, and briefs.

• Document preparation:

understanding formatting along with state and federal formatting requirements.

• Litigation:

paralegals are responsible for discovery, creating trial binders, and evidence presentations.

As any working paralegal knows, these skills improve with real-world practice — outside of a classroom environment.

Types of Online Paralegal Courses

There are many types of online paralegal courses. Students should consider their career goals and their immediate needs to find the right fit.

• Certificate Programs: A certificate program is a short course that provides training in a specific area or field. Certificate courses are intended for individuals who want entry-level expertise in a particular industry without the broad schooling and advanced knowledge that a degree program provides.

Certificates can also provide advanced training in a particular area once someone has acquired a degree or basic certificate.

The California State University system (CSU) together with the Center for Legal Studies by BARBRI (CLS) offers a nine-unit online paralegal certificate program. This type of program is seen across many online options. It is offered fully online in two, seven-week sessions. Students can participate in online discussion boards to share tips and tricks of the trade.

• Certifications: A certification is not the same thing as a certificate. A certification is given by a professional organization, like NALA, once a paralegal has joined and completed an exam given by the organization. A certification shows that the holder is compliant with the standards of the organization. This allows paralegals to call themselves “Certified Paralegals” (NALA) or “AAP-certified” on their resumes.

• Associate Degrees in Paralegal Studies: Associate degrees are two-year paralegal programs that delve into the legal nuts and bolts of being a paralegal. Associate degrees provide additional knowledge about the law and may include practice area law courses like real estate, family law, or criminal law.

Associate degrees are available from community colleges, like L.A. City College. Community colleges may be online, in-person, or hybrid. Fully online, two-year degrees can be obtained at colleges like Liberty University.

A two-year degree usually requires some general education courses (“Gen. Ed.”) giving you a well-rounded education. Having an associate’s degree gives you greater marketability and hireability over someone with no college degree, according to industry statistics.

• Continuing Education Courses: Like attorneys, certified paralegals must complete a certain number of continuing legal education courses or CLEs, either every year or every two years. The number of courses depends on the certifying body. It’s always a good idea for any legal professional to stay current on changes in the legal field.

CLEs are offered through professional associations, the American Bar Association, and state and local bar associations. In general, if a course is open to attorneys, it is open to paralegals. CLE credits can also be earned by attending conferences, through Westlaw and Lexis, and other membership programs.

• Specialized Courses: Specialized courses in practice areas like bankruptcy, civil procedure, and divorce law, are available through the same schools that offer paralegal certificate programs. CSU requires their paralegal students to take a minimum of six advanced courses, including advanced legal research, legal writing courses, and a choice of legal practice areas.

Many law schools offer education seminars in practice areas like family law, criminal law and procedure, and related courses.

Benefits of Earning an Online Paralegal Certificate

If you’re considering a legal career or are already working as a legal secretary or assistant and want to improve your earning potential and career options, pursuing a paralegal certificate is a good way to expand your resume.

Having a formal paralegal certificate gives you an extra boost on the job market. It shows you have met the requirements of an advanced legal education and have training in providing legal services and performing legal research.

Many certifying organizations, such as NALA, require certificates or degrees before you can take their certificate exams. Moving forward with your legal education is a must if you plan to take your career to the next level.

Online certificates let you choose when and where you will study. You can continue working and taking care of personal responsibilities while completing your certificate program. The benefits of an online paralegal certificate are considerable.

Choosing the Right Program

Keep these factors in mind when reviewing online paralegal courses:

• Accreditation:

Is it ABA-approved? The ABA maintains a directory of approved courses. ABA accreditation does not make a course superior to other courses, but many law firms will not hire students from unaccredited schools.

• Curriculum and Course Objectives:

Does it include the classes you want? Not all paralegal certificate programs cover the same classes. Most include legal writing and research and all require some law courses, but they may not dive into the area you’re interested in. Take time to review the curriculum.

• Affordability:

Compare tuition and financial aid options. Tuition may be per credit hour or per course. The quoted price may not include materials and some schools may still require printed textbooks as well as downloaded materials. Be wary of any school that requires you to download a FAFSA student loan application to process your enrollment application.

• Accessibility:

Look for flexible formats for working students. Hybrid courses may require some in-person classes, which may be a problem if your chosen course is across the country. Some programs have scheduled live classes.

• Reputation:

Consider institutions like the Institute for Paralegal Education (IPE) or community colleges. If a college is in your area, you can ask students currently taking the course. Southwestern College in San Diego, or L.A. City College in Los Angeles, are good examples of reputable community colleges with paralegal programs. An online search can net you dozens more.

Common Questions About Online Paralegal Courses

1. Does a paralegal certificate need to be ABA-approved?

ABA certification means that the school meets the ABA’s standards for curriculum, faculty, and education requirements. A paralegal certificate does not need to be ABA-approved unless you intend to use your certificate to apply for membership in a professional organization that requires it. Some law firms may not hire you if you have a paralegal degree and it did not come from an accredited school.

2. What can you do with a paralegal associate degree?

Your associate’s degree is valuable for entry-level positions like a legal assistant or legal secretary. It’s also valuable while pursuing a paralegal I or II position in many law firms and offices. Your associate’s degree shows your commitment to your career and education. It can also be a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree and beyond.

3. How can you get more information about this course?

Once you find an online course that meets your career goals, your next step is to contact the school directly and request more information. You can request information from the registrar’s office or office of admissions. Most courses have a “Contact” link on the admissions page and several other locations throughout the site.

Career Paths and Opportunities

There is a lot of room for career growth in the paralegal profession. The Occupational Outlook Handbook, produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), lists dozens of legal careers that could begin with a legal assistant or paralegal position. Among them are:

• Entry-level Roles

Legal Assistant and Legal Secretary: Legal assistant and legal secretary roles are being partially taken over by AI platforms, but offices are recognizing that AI cannot perform its own cite-checking and fact-checking. Entry-level workers should begin learning AI applications to stay current in the market.

• Advanced Roles

Paralegal II, Contract Analyst, and Litigation Support: Advanced paralegal support means specializing in a practice area such as divorce, bankruptcy, real estate, or wills and trusts. Long-term employment in these areas is especially valuable.

• Long-term Prospects

Pathways to Law School or Specialized Legal Roles: Arbitration, mediation, court reporting, and other highly specialized areas are becoming more valuable as AI takes over the legal document and management work.

Resources for Students

Students interested in online paralegal courses can get information from many resources online, including:

• Paralegal associations and organizations that certify paralegals have links to reputable schools. Some have their own online courses for interested students.

  • National Association for Legal Support Professionals

  • American Association for Paralegal Education

  • American Alliance of Paralegals

  • National Association of Legal Assistants

• Community college programs with strong paralegal studies offerings. Local colleges are an ideal resource for students seeking online classes. Google “community colleges near me” or “community college online paralegal course” for classes near you. One example is National Paralegal College , which has online classes year-round.

Conclusion

If you want to advance your legal career, consider an online paralegal course. Do some research and find schools that offer what you need to succeed in your career; ask for additional information. Be sure to inquire about program costs, financial aid, and where you can learn more to advance your career in the legal field.

Sources

• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/legal-assistant-vs-legal-secretary

• https://nala.org/courses-cat/self-study-courses/

• https://www.cpace.csulb.edu/courses/paralegal-certificate-course

• https://programmap.lacitycollege.edu/academics/interest-clusters/35a8c892-4bad-4dde-b56e-ec2f7bf0fbc6/programs/b9f3d251-f665-df79-0b65-9c9f11dcdbc6

• https://www.liberty.edu/online/law/associate/paralegal-studies/

• https://smartasset.com/retirement/the-average-salary-by-education-level

• https://www.americanbar.org/cle-marketplace/

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/home.htm

• https://ipe-sems.com/pages/about-ipe