Online Paralegal Bachelor Degree
Paralegals and legal assistants have come into prominence in the American criminal justice system in recent years. As caseloads mount and time-to-trial intervals are continually extended, law firms have difficulty handling all the litigation tasks traditionally performed by attorneys. More and more, paralegals are called to help prepare cases by taking depositions, researching law history, filing court papers, and working directly with clients. An online bachelor's degree in paralegal studies can put you at the heart of the action.
Almost three fourths of all working paralegals are employed by law firms, with others taking jobs with corporate legal departments and government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. Growth in paralegal jobs, according to the Department of Labor, is anticipated to accelerate faster than the average rate for all other professional groups over the next decade.
A common path to the profession runs through an online bachelor's degree program in paralegal studies or, for those already holding bachelor's degrees in other fields, an online paralegal certification program. Many online bachelor's degree programs include paralegal internships with working law firms or government agencies.
Online paralegal coursework can include the study of legal analysis, law terminology, legal forms (memorandums, filings, writs, depositions, trusts, and wills), court structure, client and courtroom ethics, stages in litigation and appeals, arbitration, coordinating discoveries, and creating citations for legal access.
Earnings for paralegals and legal assistants vary greatly by law firm, region, educational attainment, and experience.
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