Job Titles for Paralegal & Legal Studies Graduates:

Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies

Legal assistants, also known as Paralegals, are a distinguishable group of persons who assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. A Legal Assistant or Paralegal is a person qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity.

CNN.Money ranked the paralegal field as one of the 20 best jobs in America. The Legal Assistant profession is projected to grow by 22.2% (2006-2016) , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Employment Projections. Private law firms are the largest employers of paralegals, but a growing number of other organizations are beginning and continuing to hire them. These organizations include corporate legal departments, insurance companies, real estate and title insurance firms, and banks.

Paralegals or legal assistants usually possess a 2-year Associate's Degree, 4-year Bachelor's Degree, and/or a Paralegal Certificate. After a year of professional experience, most Paralegals pursue a Paralegal Certificate, which is issued by the National Association of Legal Assistant, Inc. (NALA). After passing the required examination, candidates are designated Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP).

According to the National Federation of Paralegal Association’s (NFPA) most recent salary survey, the average paralegal salary is $50,496 and the median national salary is $49,000, with one-fourth of the respondents at or below $40,000 and one-fourth at or above $60,000.

Everest College Phoenix

Paralegal Program
Students will learn fundamental knowledge about the formation of contracts, breach of contracts, and remedies for the breach of contracts. They will become familiar with the terminology, policies and procedures applied to: estate planning, wills, trusts, estate taxes, estate sales, and joint tenancy. Family and criminal law are other principal subjects covered in this program. Family law specializes in: divorce, separation, custody, adoption, guardianship, and community property. Criminal law covers: common law, statutory crimes and punishment, crime classification, principles of liability, and basic criminal procedure concepts. Westlaw computerized legal research and special Discovery software training is also included. This is an ABA approved program.

Lamson College Phoenix

Paralegal Program
The ABA approved paralegal program includes specific legal skills, computer proficiency and an excellent general education. Students are encouraged to join local and state paralegal organizations, and an active paralegal club promotes professional events, guest speakers, and networking opportunities. A full-time Director of Placement works with employers regarding internships and job opportunities for our students. In addition, the program prepares graduates for success on the Certified Legal Assistant examination.

Northwestern Business College Chicago

Paralegal - Associate of Applied Science
In this ABA approved program, students will be taught legal research and writing and how to use multiple legal reference material located in the campus library and to navigate legal searches online via Westlaw and LexisNexis. During the final quarter, an externship will allow students to apply the skills learned in class to the workplace and attain a real-world perspective of the law and a dynamic vision of their future career. Upon completion, students will be prepared to successfully perform under attorney supervision a wide range of paralegal tasks.

Daymar College Owensboro

Paralegal - Associate of Science
The Paralegal Studies program offers students training and skills in preparing legal reports and documents, legal correspondence, legal research, drafting letters, questions for interrogatories, legal memoranda, briefs, pleadings, contracts, wills, and deeds. In addition, students receive training in Microsoft Excel and Word. Students are prepared for employment as legal office assistants, or managers, or as paralegals in either the public or private sector. The goal of the Paralegal Studies program is to prepare graduates for entry level paralegal positions to be employed by a lawyer, law office, corporation, government agency, or other entity and to perform specialized delegated, substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. The program also gives graduates the general education necessary to manage interpersonal and social situations by preparing them to advance in professional and personal life as well as to adapt to changes in the legal environment. This program is ABA approved.

RETS College Centerville

Paralegal - Associate of Science
This 5 semester / 18 month ABA approved program is designed to prepare students for a career as a paralegal or legal assistant. The curriculum provides for instruction in most substantive areas of the law, as well as a number of general education courses for a well-rounded college education. Two legal research and writing courses teach students how to brief cases, draft legal memoranda, and perform manual and electronic legal research. Computer skills are a focus of the program. Students are taught various computer software programs that are utilized by lawyers in their practices. An optional internship program is available to students who are in their 5th semester of study and who would like further exposure to the legal field and gain valuable experience applying their skills in a supervised, law office setting.

National American University Rapid City

Paralegal - Associate of Science
This program is for individuals who wish to pursue a course of study emphasizing basic paralegal skills. Credits earned in this program will apply toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies.

Paralegal - Bachelor of Science
This program will provide student with fundamental knowledge of substantive and procedural law. Student will be taught how to perform legal research using both traditional and electronic resources. This program will teach how to communicate effectively through speaking and writing.

Both programs are ABA approved.

South College Knoxville

Paralegal - Associate of Science
The Paralegal Studies program is an ABA approved legal assistant education program with the purpose of providing each paralegal student at South College with a quality, practical legal education in order to provide attorneys and the legal community with paralegals who are qualified, responsible, and professional. In keeping with the demands of professionalism, the Paralegal Studies program consists of specialized coursework and a 120-hour, supervised internship in selected legal settings – both public and private – such as real estate and title companies, bank and trust agencies, law firms, and judicial offices. Extensive practical training prepares graduates, under the supervision of an attorney, to perform many of the functions in a legal office, with the exception that they cannot give legal advice, appear in court, accept cases, or set fees. The program explores various ethical considerations for the paralegal and other members of the legal team in each course.

Legal Studies - Bachelor of Science
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program is to provide students with a broad academic background in general education, fundamental theoretical legal concepts, and practical applications. This rigorous ABA approved legal assistant education program is designed for the student who clearly shows potential for a career in the legal profession and similar fields.

The coursework emphasizes the development of keen analytical skills and fosters sensitivity to cultural and political history and diversity. Graduates can become contributing members of the legal office in private law firms, banks, insurance companies, title and mortgage companies, governmental and law enforcement agencies, and other corporations.The objective of this program is to provide students, through completion of courses consisting of lecture, practical application, and hands-on computer instruction, with the knowledge and skills necessary to become contributing members of a team in the legal environment.