Explore an associate degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies

If you're fascinated by the law, passionate about advocating for the wronged or skilled at research and administrative work, a career as a paralegal or legal assistant may be right for you. Certainly, a career as an attorney is likely to lead to a high salary, but it not only requires at least three years of law school, a rigorous bar exam and, once employed, long work hours. An associate degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies might be the perfect option for you.

Why should I pursue a legal assistant degree?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that paralegal and legal assistant careers will grow by 28 percent (much faster than average) between 2008 and 2018. What's behind this rapid growth?

• Expanding immigrant and elderly populations, placing demands on law firms that handle immigration, international law, and health care and elder care issues
• A desire in corporations to cut costs by hiring legal assistants to perform routine legal services
• Growth in new legal fields, such as environmental law
• Development of community assistance programs that utilize lower-cost legal services

Many clients and companies find that paralegals and legal assistants, who are trained to perform legal research, draft legal documents, investigate case facts, perform administrative duties and take statements, can provide cost-effective legal help. A degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies can be completed in just two years, making it a practical way to enter the legal profession.

With an associate degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies, your greatest chances for employment will be in private law firms, which employed 71 percent of legal assistants in 2008. Other employers may include local, state and federal government agencies, corporate legal departments, and community service organizations. The BLS reported an average yearly salary for paralegals and legal assistants of $50,080 in May 2009.

What to expect from a legal assistant degree program

Whether you complete an on-campus or online associate degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies, your coursework is likely to include the following:

• Criminal law and procedure
• Civil procedure
• Office administration and management
• Ethics
• Legal research and writing

While certification isn't required by most employers, most do require an associate degree, which is why it makes sense to consider earning one. Additionally, a voluntary licensure through a national organization such as The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), The American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) can provide you with an employment edge, and may be worth pursuing.

Plus, by earning an online associate degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies, you have the option to work full-time (if, for example, this would be a career change for you) and complete your studies at night or on weekends. And because such a program may be difficult to find at a campus near you, an online program gives you the option to complete your studies from anywhere.

If the costs of such a program are of concern to you, the NFPA maintains a list of scholarships for paralegal majors. Additionally, bar associations and private law entities may offer grants and scholarship monies.

The Guide to Degrees in Law & Criminal Justice can provide more valuable information about possible routes to the legal career of your choosing.

• Online Associate Programs