The paralegal field is a thriving occupation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 238,000 paralegal jobs in the United States in 2006. But they project a further growth rate of 22 percent in the decade between 2006 and 2016.

Although this growth rate will add more paralegal jobs, it will also add increased competition to the field. This means that the paralegals that have the best education will have the better career opportunities. In order to remain competitive as a paralegal, therefore, you should have a minimum of a certificate or a diploma of paralegal studies.

What is a Paralegal?

In simple terms, most paralegals perform the same functions as do attorneys—with one exception. They cannot perform the duties that are considered to be the practice of law. For instance, paralegals are expressly forbidden to give legal advice, present cases in court, and set legal fees.

Some of the duties of paralegals include:

• Investigating the facts of a legal case
• Conducting research in case law on an issue
• Drafting legal documents such as pleadings, contracts, and mortgages.
• Obtaining affidavits

Because paralegals assume so much responsibility, the correct training program is essential to becoming a competent paralegal.

Paralegal Certificates and Diplomas

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 1,000 paralegal training programs in the United States.

Many of these schools—particularly the technical schools and community colleges—offer certificate or diploma degrees in paralegal studies. These programs can be completed in less than one year.

What do I Need to Apply?

Admission requirements for paralegal certificate and diploma programs vary. Most require the minimum of a high school diploma or a GED. Some require the successful completion of a written examination and a personal interview. Others require some college courses or legal experience.

You’ll need to check with each individual paralegal training program for their exact admission requirements.

Choosing the Right Program

Although there are many paralegal training programs in the United States, only 260 of them are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Although approval by the ABA is not required of paralegal training programs, attending one of these schools will improve your employment prospects. Check with the ABA for a list of their ABA approved paralegal training programs.

What Courses Will I Take?

The required coursework for a certificate or a diploma in paralegal studies varies quite a bit depending upon the individual program.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recommends that you research the experiences of current students and recent graduates of the program before you enroll for classes.

In general, however, some of the classes that you can expect to take include:

• Legal terminology
• Computer applications of the law
• Legal research
• Legal documents
• Communications—written and verbal
• Business Law
• Criminal Law
• Tort Law
• Contract Law

Many paralegal training programs also require that the student complete an externship with a law firm in order to be eligible for graduation. Such an externship provides the student with actual experience in working in a legal environment.

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