What Are the Educational Requirements to Become a Paralegal?
Paralegals require formal education and training to succeed on the job. The following are the four main educational paths to becoming a paralegal and their respective pros and cons:
Pros and Cons of a Paralegal Certificate Program
Aspiring paralegals looking to break into the industry quickly and with minimal expense might opt for a paralegal certificate program. Students can complete these programs within six months, and paralegal certificate programs can be found at community colleges, universities, and online schools.
The paralegal certificate courses are designed to provide an introductory overview of the fundamentals of legal studies and provide a sound foundation for students looking to begin a career in this field. Coursework typically includes classes on legal research and writing as well as overviews of substantive areas of the law.
The primary advantages of a paralegal certificate program are the costs and completion times for these certificate programs. A certificate program generally does not require coursework in subjects not directly related to paralegal studies. For example, unlike a four-year degree, you generally will not have to complete math and science coursework to achieve your certificate in paralegal studies.
Additionally, certificate coursework completed through an educational institution like a community college or university accredited by the ABA or other organization might transfer into an associate’s or bachelor’s program, if you later decided to further your education. The transferability of credits and the ability to use one program’s completion to pursue further education are two of the chief benefits of taking courses from an accredited institution. You should be aware, however, the process of transferring credits from one program to another and from one university or institution to another can be complicated.
Overall, the paralegal certificate is an entry point for those interested in pursuing legal studies without long-term commitment or significant costs; however, it is important to understand the pros and cons of this path before enrolling in such a program.
Pros and Cons of an Associate's Degree
An Associate's in Legal Studies (ALS) or Associate’s in Paralegal Studies is a great way for aspiring paralegals to gain knowledge and develop skills in the legal field beyond that acquired through a certification program without committing to the time and expense associated with a bachelor’s degree program.
An associate’s degree program typically requires two years of full-time study beyond high school. Coursework includes a broader array of classes like psychology and English in addition to legal courses like business law, criminal justice, and legal ethics. Successful students graduate with a deeper understanding of the American legal system as well as more robust skills in legal research and writing. This more complete understanding is due to the length of time it takes to complete an associate’s program versus a certificate program.
One advantage of obtaining an Associate’s in Legal Studies is the cost of these programs compared to bachelor’s or master’s programs. An associate’s degree can cost as little as $11,000 to obtain on average, although some private institutions may cost substantially more.
Having studied the subject matter in an associate’s degree paralegal program for two years, the set of skills and knowledge base graduates possess is generally more well-developed than paralegals who only obtained a certificate. Last, the credits obtained through an accredited associate’s degree paralegal program can typically be applied more easily to a bachelor’s program, whether within the paralegal field or in another field.
However, there are also some drawbacks associated with obtaining an Associate’s in Legal Studies or similar degree. Not all coursework would be relevant to other career fields beyond the legal industry if you decide to pursue another career or educational pathway. While the general education requirements associated with an ALS degree will be similar to general education requirements in other programs, legal industry-specific courses such as Legal Research and Writing, Tort Law, and other similar courses may not transfer to other programs and industries as easily.
Additionally, although individuals with this educational path have gained basic skills in legal analysis, they may still require further instruction or on-the-job training to round out their understanding of the various substantive areas of law. For example, while an ALS program might teach a paralegal the basics of contract law and legal writing, drafting a contract is a skill that requires considerable practice.
In sum, an associate’s degree in paralegal studies can present a sensible middle ground for some individuals. With this degree, you will gain a more complete understanding of the legal system and spend more time practicing skills you will need in your career without the expense and time commitment associated with a bachelor’s or master’s program. Just keep in mind that if you wish to take on more responsibilities or supervisory authority at your firm or organization in the future, you may need to get additional education or experience first.
Pros and Cons of a Bachelor's in Legal Studies
A Bachelor's in Legal Studies (BLS) can provide aspiring paralegals with a more comprehensive educational experience than a certificate program or ALS program. This type of degree typically requires four years of full-time study. It includes traditional college courses, such as history, philosophy, and English, as well as legal-focused courses, such as family law and civil procedure. By completing a bachelor's program, students gain an in-depth understanding of the American legal system and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in the field.
The primary advantages of a bachelor's degree in legal studies are its advanced education and greater potential job opportunities. This degree gives students an even deeper understanding of the legal system and transferable skills that could apply to other professions.
Additionally, a bachelor’s degree serves as evidence of your interest in the legal field, your ability to follow through on long-term commitments, your capacity for intellectually rigorous work, and your ability to manage deadlines and program requirements over a long period of time. While employers may have differing views on the value of a bachelor’s degree, successfully completing a bachelor’s degree program shows a potential employer your potential to succeed.
The cost and time associated with obtaining a bachelor’s degree are the program’s main drawbacks. The average bachelor’s degree program is about $36,000 per year, or nearly $150,000 over the course of a typical four-year course of study. Whereas a paralegal with a certificate can enter the workforce within six months and one with an associate’s can get started working in two years, a bachelor’s degree will delay the start of your professional working career by at least three, and up to six years.
Although obtaining a bachelor's degree typically requires more financial resources and time commitment than other educational paths currently available to aspiring paralegals, it is worth considering due to its comprehensive education and increased job opportunities it provides graduates upon completion.
Pros and Cons of a Master's in Legal Studies
A Master's in Legal Studies (MLS) can provide experienced paralegals who want to pursue senior-level employment opportunities that are connected to the legal field in corporations and agencies, such as Director of Human Resources, Policy Analyst, or Budget Director.
The requirements for this degree can vary widely by school, with some schools offering an option to complete a Master’s in Legal Studies or equivalent degree part-time in just under three years. However, to even enter into a Master’s of Legal Studies program, you must first have obtained a bachelor’s degree. Thus, by the time you have completed your MLS, you will have been in school for as few as five and as many as nine years.
Because a MLS degree is an advanced and specialized degree, coursework is focused primarily on the areas of the student’s interests. While programs may require one or two courses in general topics covering the American legal system, from there students can take electives in a variety of topics such as health law, cybersecurity law, or oil and gas law.
The primary advantages of a master's degree in legal studies include increased job opportunities and better salary prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that 18 percent of jobs in the United States will require a master’s-level or higher degree. With this level of education, graduates may be well prepared to pursue upper-level positions at firms or organizations; employers may view those with advanced degrees more favorably than those without them.
Additionally, compared to those who hold only a paralegal certificate or Bachelor's degree, individuals with a master's degree may have improved compensation potential due to their higher educational attainment.
At the same time, there are also some drawbacks associated with obtaining a Master's in Legal Studies. For example, this type of program usually requires higher tuition due to longer course lengths when compared to other educational paths. Additionally, students pursuing this program must commit two full years to study above and beyond the time required to obtain a bachelor’s degree before they can put their master’s degree to use via full-time employment
Furthermore, because job opportunities requiring a master’s degree are fewer in number than those that require less education, you might still face stiff competition as you compete against other candidates who hold a master’s degree for a limited number of open positions.
Overall, while obtaining a master's degree typically requires more financial resources and time commitment than other educational paths available to aspiring paralegals, it could provide graduates with increased job opportunities along with greater salary prospects once they complete their studies.
