Paralegals are highly specialized legal assistants. The work of a paralegal requires specific knowledge of the legal industry’s standards and practices. Because of the knowledge and specialty required beyond regular administrative work, paralegals are paid more than their non-legal counterparts.

Until recent years, law firms or court systems hired paralegals based on experience, often training the special duties of paralegals over time. Increasingly however, these same employers now hire degreed paralegals, many of which may have received an associate paralegal degree.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the paralegal profession is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. The primary reason for this growth is the trend among law firms to have paralegals take on duties previously carried out by junior staff attorneys or first-year associates. This move is primarily a cost-saving measure since legal assistants can deliver quality results at lower bill rates than attorneys and other legal personnel.

And because paralegals are increasingly doing the work that junior attorneys did in the past, the requirement to learn a lot in a short period of time increases.

Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths, but online paralegal degrees are becoming increasingly popular. The most common type of program is the associate paralegal degree, which if done full time is completed in about a year.

But the great benefit of an online associate paralegal degree is that you get your degree while remaining in the workplace. This gives you the obvious benefit of maintaining an income while educating yourself. But it also allows you to learn in the field while learning in school. Considering that paralegals are expected to have a sense of all aspects of legal work, except advising clients directly, being in a degree program while in the workplace is truly the best of all worlds.

Online Associate Degrees in Paralegal Studies

Keiser University Campus Online Keiser University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate and bachelor's degrees.

The Keiser University offers the following online paralegal studies associate of arts degree: Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies Keiser University offers an associate degree in paralegal studies online. You an study to become an essential and vital part of any legal team. A paralegal or legal, or law assistant is supervised by an attorney and prepares documents and motions to be filed in a court of law A paralegal also interviews clients and witnesses, manages cases and gathers evidence and legal research. Graduates will be trained in fact gathering, summarizing trial evidence, estate administration, legal research, writing analysis, the interviewing of clients and witnesses, and property transfer. Paralegals usually work with private law firms, government agencies (local, state, and federal), title companies, corporate law departments, banks, law enforcement agencies, and prosecutors Request a Free Info Kit: paralegal studies associates degree

Kaplan University Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Kaplan University offers the following paralegal studies associate degree program: Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies The Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies will give you an advantage to advance your career in the legal field or make a career change by entering the legal profession. You will learn to communicate effectively within the legal environment, analyze important legal concepts while demonstrating ethical decision-making skills. You will learn to develop effective legal research skills to solve problems. This course includes comprehensive study in areas such as contracts, legal research, civil litigation, and criminal law designed to prepare you for diverse career prospects in the legal profession. This is a two-year degree providing a strong foundation for later advancement to bachelor's degree level and also appropriate for students wanting to enhance their current skills and knowledge while earning a degree. Request a Free Info Kit: paralegal associate degree