Why Consider Online Paralegal Schools as a Path Forward

Introduction: Why Online Paralegal Schools Are Growing

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the legal profession is expanding steadily, and the demand for paralegals and support professionals is holding steady but showing no current growth.

The number of online paralegal schools has exploded to meet the increasing demand for trained paralegals and support professionals. Online schools can be an excellent way for students and working professionals to increase their employability and legal skills. At the same time, students should be aware that not all online schools are equal, and they should review online schools as carefully as any brick-and-mortar university.

What Is an Online Paralegal School?

An online paralegal school is just that - a paralegal certificate or degree program that is delivered entirely online. In most schools, the curriculum is identical to that taught during the in-person courses. Classes may be delivered synchronously, in which students log in to a virtual classroom as if they were attending an in-person class. They may also be asynchronous, allowing students to begin a course at any point in the term and complete the coursework on their own time and at their own pace.

One critical factor in any online legal course is whether the school is ABA-accredited. Not all paralegal courses have this certification. The ABA does not certify or accredit paralegal schools like it does law schools. Instead, the ABA has a voluntary certification program that schools can opt to join. The process is expensive and requires schools to offer ABA-approved courses to their students.

ABA certification is not required for schools or graduates, but the extra cachet of having it can give graduates an edge when applying for jobs.

Types of Online Paralegal Programs

There are many types of online paralegal courses. When deciding what type of course to take, students should consider their career goals and their immediate needs.

• Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are short-term courses that offer training in a specific area or field. A certificate course is ideal for people who want entry-level experience in the paralegal field or a short-term option that provides quick entry into the workplace.

Certificates also provide advanced or specialized training in an area once you’ve obtained a basic certificate or degree. For example, the National Association of Legal Professionals (NALA) has a basic paralegal certificate. Once that has been obtained, advanced certificates are available in Contract Management, Discovery, and Family Law.

Certificate programs are typically short, usually six or eight weeks. They are offered by many community colleges, universities, and online organizations, such as NALA.

• Associate Degrees in Paralegal Studies

An associate degree is a two-year program that provides students with additional knowledge about the paralegal career. Many courses include legal practice-area classes such as real estate, contracts, and family law.

An associate degree may require you to take general education courses such as English, science, or history. An associate's degree can be a stand-alone degree, or it can serve as a springboard into a traditional four-year bachelor’s degree.

• Bachelor’s Degrees in Paralegal Studies

Paralegal bachelor’s degrees are usually available through colleges and universities and are delivered both online and in person. Four-year degrees typically require two years of general education classes and two years of paralegal concentrations.

Many online paralegal bachelor’s degrees are designed for working professionals, so you don’t have to disrupt your career trajectory or earnings to go back to school.

Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs will both include:

• Advanced legal writing and research

• Practice area law courses (torts, contracts, civil law)

• Specialization options (criminal law, family law, litigation)

Both types of degree programs may include internships, capstone courses, and other practical experience classes for your graduation. Colleges usually have career placement and counseling centers to assist graduates with finding jobs after school.

• Continuing Education Courses

Once you have a paralegal certification or degree, you may need to complete a required number of continuing legal education courses, or CLEs, every year. The number of courses depends on where you received your certification and your state regulations. Since our legal landscape is constantly evolving, this is a great way to stay up to date on legal knowledge. Additionally, CLE’s are a great way to bolster your resume, and you can focus on specific topic areas that you are interested in.

The American Bar Association and your state bar will provide regular CLE classes. Almost all courses open to attorneys are also open to paralegals (unless otherwise stated).

Best Online Paralegal Schools & Programs

School	Cost	Program Length	ABA Accreditation	Degree/Certificate
George Washington University (GWU)	$2330/credit	18 Credits	ABA-approved	Graduate Certificate or Master of Professional Studies in Paralegal Studies
University of Cincinnati	$7272/semester (resident)	120 Credits	ABA Approved	Online Bachelor’s in Law & Paralegal Studies
Purdue University Globa l	$371/credit	180 Credits		BS in Legal Support & Services with Paralegal Concentration associate and certificate programs
Liberty University	$390/credit (full-time)	8-week online certificate course, 120-hour Bachelor’s	ABA Accredited	Online Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies, plus certificate tracks
Regent University	$395/credit hour	120 hours	ABA Accredited	Online bachelor’s and certificate programs in Paralegal Studies
University of Central Florida (UCF )	$2775 for Certified Paralegal	12 months		Online Bachelor’s in Legal Studies, Certified Paralegal (NALA)
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)	$5220 flat rate 12-15 credits	120 hours	ABA-approved	Associate's or Bachelor’s in Paralegal Science

Admission Requirements for Online Paralegal Schools

Admission requirements for online programs are similar to those for brick-and-mortar programs. The biggest difference is that you can enroll in asynchronous classes at any time, rather than waiting until the next term starts.

Some hybrid four-year degrees still require a certain amount of in-person attendance to complete the degree. The best thing for applicants to do is visit the school’s website and contact the college or school directly to get the most up-to-date information. Outdated information is common, and it’s always safest to call the school for the most current admissions and application information.

Each program has its own requirements, but in general, these are the basic admissions requirements for online paralegal programs.

Certificate program requirements:

• Application fee

• High school diploma or GED

• Homeschooled students may need to provide proof of courses or a portfolio

• Transfer students may need to provide official transcripts

Associate’s/Bachelor’s degree requirements:

• Application fee

• High school Diploma or GED

• Portfolio/proof of courses for homeschooled students

• Official transcripts for transfer students

Advanced certificate admissions:

• Official transcripts showing education in the desired study area

Some colleges and universities request payment for advanced certifications before you begin the coursework. Some advanced certifications require proof of CLEs, so if you’re applying for an advanced certificate in Civil Law, for instance, you must show proof of completing your CLEs in that area. As always, the best course of action is to contact the paralegal program and ask for this year’s requirements before submitting any application.

Tuition and Financial Aid

An online paralegal course, even a bachelor’s degree, is less expensive than law school. That said, the costs will differ depending on the type of course you take and its duration. A one-term certificate course through a community college will cost much less than a four-year bachelor’s degree taken through an accredited university.

• Certificate Programs

Online programs can range from $1,000 to $10,000, including additional costs for materials, admission fees, and required downloads.

• Associate Degree

A two-year associate degree may run from $6,000 to $30,000. Contributing factors include the type of school (community college vs. state college or university), additional materials, and out-of-state tuition.

• Bachelor’s Degree

A four-year bachelor’s degree can average $19,000 to $100,000+ for the full degree. Considerations include the type of college, cost (per unit or per semester), and material costs.

• Financial Aid and Scholarships

Although federal student loans are available for students who want to enroll in certificate programs and associate degrees, they may not be worth it for a six-month or two-year program due to the high interest rates and monthly payments.

Many schools offer alternative financial aid options outside of federal or private loans. When you contact the admissions office, ask about any financial aid programs the school may offer, such as:

• School financing plans. Many online schools and non-profit universities have in-house financing programs that let students pay as they go. Flexible financing is common for short-term programs like certificate courses.

• School scholarships. Non-profit and state colleges and universities have a wide range of available tuition- and need-based scholarships. The application process for most scholarships is separate from the course application, so you need to inquire about these early.

• Work-study programs may be available for two- and four-year degrees. These programs use on-campus jobs to offset part of your tuition costs. If you can work while attending classes, work-study is a great way to offset your tuition costs.

• Private loans. Higher interest rates, and you may need a co-signer. Fixed-rate loans may be available.

Career Outlook and Salary for Paralegals

According to BLS reports, the median salary for paralegals is $60,000, and the job market is holding steady at about 4%, matching that of other legal professions.

An “online degree” or certification is no different in the job world than one earned in a brick-and-mortar classroom. What matters is the integrity of the college and the effectiveness of your education.

In today’s job market, having strong legal skills, a solid grasp of current technology, and the ability to apply your knowledge to a wide range of situations are key to getting and keeping a good job. If you plan to make a career in the paralegal field, a paralegal degree can give you foundational knowledge, but you need to keep honing your skills once you land your first job.

How to Choose the Right Online Paralegal School

When you’re considering paralegal courses and schools, you need to weigh all factors carefully. Cost should not be your only consideration. Keep in mind the reasons you are pursuing your degree or certification and your goals once you leave school.

• Cost and Return on Investment. The tuition may seem inexpensive, but don’t forget to include textbooks or other materials. Double-check whether the quoted price is per credit hour or per course. Four-year degrees may require financial aid. FAFSA deadlines vary by state, so check the website when you apply.

Ask yourself if the certificate or degree is necessary for your career before you commit to the class. If you already have legal experience, consider whether a four-year degree will advance your career more than a certificate in a desired niche field. If you are a recent high school graduate, think about your post-college options in the legal field with a paralegal studies degree versus another degree.

• Accreditation and Reputation. An ABA accreditation is not necessary for a paralegal degree but it looks good on your resume. However, if you plan to take your bachelor’s to graduate school, the institution must be an accredited university.

Take time to review the school, the instructors, and the curriculum. Look at the online reviews as well as the school’s testimonials. What are current and previous graduates saying about the school? If the instructors teach other classes online, look at those reviews too.

• Curriculum and course options. Not all paralegal certificate programs cover the same topic areas. Certificate programs may focus heavily on a single specialization, such as real estate, and may not cover other topics. If you need a broad curriculum that covers general paralegal skills, ensure the course you select contains those classes.

• Accessibility. If you plan on working while attending classes, make sure the classes fit your work schedule. Just because a course is online does not mean that it is fully asynchronous. Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that some hybrid classes in four-year programs may have in-person classes or seminars.

Some programs are designed for working professionals and may allow students to take as few as one class per term. As appealing as it may sound, this means it could take five to seven years to complete a degree, and some schools have an upper limit on how many years you can take to finish the program. If you are interested in part-time enrollment, confirm all of these factors with the admissions office before applying.

Conclusion

The legal field is constantly growing, and online paralegal schools are emerging to meet the need for trained paralegal professionals to support attorneys and law firms. If you want a lucrative, stable career, or have a legal career and want to expand your knowledge base and career potential, explore online paralegal schools and contact the admissions offices for more information about certificate and degree programs to start your paralegal progress today.