Why Consider Online Paralegal Schools as a Path Forward

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.

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.

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.

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).

Official transcripts showing education in the desired study area

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

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.

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.

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.

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.