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Paralegals, also known as legal assistants, do substantive legal work and were paid an average of $50,953 per year in 2008 according to the National Association of Legal Assistants. The NALA also reports 83 percent of paralegals in its salary survey have a paralegal degree or certificate. The American Bar Association lists more than 260 approved paralegal degree programs.
Two years or more
The ABA guidelines require 60 semester credit minimum to approve a paralegal degree program. With a full-time 15-credit load, that adds up to four semesters or two years.
Accredited
The school or university offering a program must be accredited. A national or regional agency must regularly asses the school as a serious educational institution, not a fly by night diploma mill.
Emphasizes legal skills
At least 18 semester credits must cover substantive law or procedures and focus on developing skills paralegals use. The ABA encourages programs to include internships and placements at law firms and clinics as part of this requirement.
Degrees
A paralegal degree must be offered at the university, or postsecondary, level. It can be any level of university degree, including associate, bachelor, masters or professional certificate degrees.
Required in California
California law as of 2010 requires paralegals to complete an accredited paralegal degree or to prove at least one year of previous legal work experience with other degrees. Other state legislatures are contemplating similar requirements.
Source:
"Guidelines For Approval Of Paralegal Education Programs;" The American Bar Association
"California Regulates Paralegals;" Cannon, Therese A.; 2006
"2008 National Utilization and Compensation Survey;" National Association of Legal Assistants
More Information:
The American Bar Association Paralegal Approved Program Directory
AllCriminalJusticeSchools.com: Paralegal Degrees And Paralegal Programs
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