|
Paralegals are people who assist lawyers in
the delivery of legal services. Paralegal degrees
are offered in many formats and lengths.
The most common types of Paralegal degree programs
are:
Associate degree: These programs are offered
at two-year community colleges, some four-year
colleges and universities, and some business
schools. Upon successful completion of 60-70
semester units, a student earns an associate
degree.
Bachelor degree: Paralegal education is also
offered by four-year colleges and universities
which have a paralegal studies major, minor,
or concentration within a major. These programs
are usually about 120 - 130 semester units, including
30-60 semester units in paralegal and related
courses.
Master's degree: A few colleges and universities
that offer undergraduate paralegal degree programs
are now offering Masters degree in paralegal
studies.
The duties of paralegals also differ widely
based on the type of organization in which they
are employed. Paralegals who work for corporations
often assist attorneys with employee contracts,
shareholder agreements, stock-option plans, and
employee benefit plans. They also may help prepare
and file annual financial reports, maintain corporate
minute books and resolutions, and secure loans
for the corporation.
Paralegals are mostly employed in law firms, corporate legal departments and
various government offices. Paralegals are projected to grow faster than average,
as law offices try to reduce costs by assigning them tasks formerly carried
out by lawyers. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of
Labor, Paralegals held about 200,000 jobs in year 2002.
Paralegal Degree Programs and Studies Online
Our Featured Education Partners:
 |
 |
Kaplan
University
Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher
Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges
and Schools. |
The Kaplan University School of Criminal
Justice offers the following Online Paralegal Degree and Certificate
Programs:
Associate
of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
If you want to advance your career by
entering the legal profession, the Associate of Applied Science
in Paralegal Studies will give you the advantage you need. This
course will help you communicate effectively within the legal environment
and help you develop effective legal research techniques
to solve problems. You will study areas such as contracts,
legal research, civil
litigation,
and criminal law to prepare you for
career opportunities in the Paralegal field. This program is
for students who want to complete a two year degree which can
be used as a base for a later bachelor’s degree. Its is
also for students who desire to sharpen current skills
and knowledge while earning a degree. Students can
transfer in paralegal work experience for academic
credit. The Associate in Paralegal Studies degree will open career
opportunities in a wide range of legal environments such as
criminal law,
litigation, real estate paralegal and more
B.S.
in Paralegal Studies - Alternative Dispute Resolution
The
online Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies program will help you meet
your career goals. This Degree course provides a strong grounding in the
law and paralegal skills, including document supervision, litigation
preparation and legal research. Career opportunities
and job advancements are available
in legal environments such as a private law firm or corporate law departments
and various agencies. The Alternative Dispute Resolution major provides
you with the methods and techniques for successful arbitration,
mediation, and conflict negotiation. Student will be taught the
methods relating to litigation for dispute resolution and also how to
arbitrate legal proceedings in areas such as divorce cases, family cases,
and employment cases. You will qualify to be employed as a paralegal
to law firms and legal aid agencies that work in diverse areas including
family law, labor and
contract law arbitration and mediation.
B.S.
in Paralegal Studies - Office Management
This Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies - Office Management program provides
students with a foundation in
the
law
and paralegal skills, including litigation preparation, document supervision,
and
legal research.
Graduates
career prospects include private law firms, corporate law departments and local
state and federal agencies. In the Office Management major, you will learn law
office workflow coordination, law office procedures, team building and record
keeping. Graduates may advance into paralegal management
positions with this course.
B.S.
in Paralegal Studies - Personal Injury
In the Personal Injury major, students will learn the skills necessary
for careers in fields of personal injury and tort law, including negligence
discovery, analyzing case law, preparing briefs and presenting damages. Students
will study medical report analysis, product liability, malpractice litigation
and insurance claims. You will b prepared for careers and employment with personal
injury and liability law
firms and also insurance companies.
Advanced
Start B.S. in Paralegal Studies
If you possess an associate’s degree, the online advanced
start program can have you earning a Bachelor of Science in
Paralegal Studies in as short a time
as 12 months. The BS degree will help you increase your income potential and
marketability in the competitive career market. The U.S. Census
Bureau states that people with bachelors degrees
earn nearly twice that of high school diploma holders. The advance start program
combines the career focus of a two year degree with
the academic curriculum of a four year program. This gives you
flexibility to join the
workforce and also pursue your goals. This course program will give you the communication
skills, knowledge, critical thinking, and technical competency
that is needed in todays workplace. This course has 3 specialties
as described below:
Advanced
Start B.S. in Paralegal Studies - Alternative Dispute Resolution
In the Alternative Dispute Resolution specialty, you will study the methods
and techniques to successful conflict negotiation, arbitration and mediation.
You
will learn the methods relating to litigation for dispute resolution. You will
learn
how to arbitrate legal proceedings in employment, divorce, family cases. Career
prospects include paralegal to law firms and legal aid agencies that specialize
in contract law
mediation and arbitration and also labor and family
law.
Advanced
Start B.S. in Paralegal Studies - Office Management
The Office Management specialty will teach you team building, law office procedures,
law office workflow coordination, and record keeping.
Career prospects include paralegal management positions.
Advanced
Start B.S. in Paralegal Studies - Personal Injury
Students will learn the skills to work
in the fields of personal injury, including analyzing case law, preparing briefs,
negligence
discovery and presenting damages. You will study malpractice
litigation, medical report analysis, insurance claims and product
liability. Graduates find employment with liability
and personal
injury law firms or insurance companies
Request a Free Info Kit: Online
Paralegal Degree Programs
|
|