Paralegal Careers
Want to experience the excitement of the courtroom without the drama of earning a full law degree? Professionals in the paralegal field are assigned jobs that lawyers used to do. And that means more responsibility, more accountability, and more pay.
Career Overview
Paralegals are the right hand professionals of lawyers and litigators. They perform much of the behind-the-scenes operations in preparation for trial: preparing official court documents, precedence research, reviewing case loads to ensure that all required materials are gathered,...
Want to experience the excitement of the courtroom without the drama of earning a full law degree? Professionals in the paralegal field are assigned jobs that lawyers used to do. And that means more responsibility, more accountability, and more pay.
Career Overview
Paralegals are the right hand professionals of lawyers and litigators. They perform much of the behind-the-scenes operations in preparation for trial: preparing official court documents, precedence research, reviewing case loads to ensure that all required materials are gathered, and creating financial statements for the firm. The US Bureau of Labor statistics reveals that employment is expected to increase by 22% in the coming decade; that's much faster than the national average.
Employment Options
Paralegal careers are another example of a highly diversified industry catering to a wide range of professional interests. Real estate, business litigation, and criminal representation are just a few of the thrilling specialties that you might choose to pursue. Hiring firms will also pay for advanced education in these specialties to bring their paralegals up to speed. O*Net OnLine reports some of the more common professional titles for professional with paralegal degrees include Legal Assistant, Probate Paralegal, and Judicial Assistant.
Earnings Potential
Graduates of paralegal schools are finding their salaries based on a combination of experience and responsibilities. According to Payscale, the median annual salary for those just starting out in the field hover around $34,000. For those will twenty or more years experience can earn over $46,000 per year. Annual bonuses awarded by high-performing firms range from $900 to almost $1,400.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
O*Net OnLine
Payscale
Top Online Paralegal Schools
-
Colorado Technical University Online (Online)
At Colorado Tech Online, you can earn a career-relevant degree in just 15 months. Every CTU Online degree includes multiple CTU Academic Certificates without additional courses or cost. Learn more today.
Learn More » -
Kaplan University (Online)
Kaplan University's accredited online degree programs allow you to earn the degree you need and advance your career without missing a day of work.
Learn More » -
Keiser University eCampus Online (Online)
Keiser University Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni. We research trends for growing fields and tailor our curriculum to prepare students for entry and advancement to rewarding careers.
Learn More » -
Penn Foster College (Online)
Penn Foster College offers affordable, career-focused Associate degree programs in some of today's fastest-growing fields, including business, health services, criminal justice, technology, engineering and more.
Learn More » -
South University (Online)
South University enjoys a long-standing tradition of excellence in education and personalized student attention. Enjoy the convenience of earning your bachelor's degree entirely online.
Learn More » -
Ashworth College (Online)
You don't have to rearrange your life to get a quality education. Ashworth College, a respected worldwide leader in distance education, offers high school diploma programs, professional-level career diploma programs, associate's programs, and master's degree programs in a variety of career fields. Ashworth College can teach you the practical, hands-on techniques you need to succeed in the real world. Study on your own schedule, at a pace that makes sense for you.
Learn More » -
Charter College (Online)
Charter College provides applicable career education in the technology and medical professions.
Learn More » -
Ellis University (Online)
Earn your undergraduate or graduate degree online with Ellis University and improve your career.
Learn More » -
Everest University Online (Online)
Expand your career horizons with an online degree from Everest University Online. Balance work and family while you study for your Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree.
Learn More » -
Globe University (Online)
Get the career training you need to reach your personal and professional goals at Globe University. We provide a real-world education that emphasizes hands-on training in small classes taught by instructors who are professionals in their fields. Choose from a variety of master's, bachelor's, associate, and diploma programs in the fields of business, health, legal, IT, and creative.
Learn More »
Latest Paralegal Career News
-
Top Paralegal Associations
There are active paralegal organizations in all of the states and in regions for many of the larger states. Generally they are affiliated with either the National Federation of Paralegal …