Certified Paralegal (Voucher Included)
This comprehensive certified paralegal course will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel as a paralegal—in just 12 months!
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What to Know at a Glance
Duration
12 months
Delivery
100% online
Scheduling Options
Start anytime
Where it is offered
Online
About Our Paralegal Program
You will learn how to conduct legal research, legal interviews, and legal analyses, among other important tasks. Additionally, you will receive soft skills training to enhance your workplace effectiveness, which is essential for a successful career in the legal profession. The paralegal course concludes with a capstone project, where you will create a complete litigation file. As a bonus, you will also receive membership and access to NALA’s Certified Paralegal (CP) Exam Review courses through our partnership with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
- Learn the fundamentals of the U.S. legal system
- Master how to perform legal research and interviews
- Prepare yourself to take the Certified Paralegal certification exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
- Understand the basics of litigation communication skills
- Soft skills for workplace effectiveness
- Learn necessary skills required to thrive within the legal industry
- Learn legal research skills with access to Westlaw
There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, you will need a high school diploma or GED equivalent to start a career as a paralegal. It is also recommended that you have basic computer skills. To meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the NALA Certified Paralegal exam, you must meet one of the following requirements: You must have 60 semester hours, of which at least 15 hours (225 clock hours) are from paralegal studies or hold an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor’s degree in any field, or have seven years of experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a member of the Bar.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for paralegals will grow by 4% through 2032. On average, around 38,000 jobs for paralegals are expected annually. Salary.com reports that the average salary for a paralegal in the U.S. is between $60,300 and $121,420, depending on your law specialty and experience level.
Paralegals FAQs
Paralegals perform many duties that attorneys also perform themselves. Paralegals can conduct legal research; draft contracts, pleadings, and other legal documents; answer client questions and help prepare for trial.
Yes. Paralegals can choose to specialize in different types of law such as criminal, family, immigration, real estate, etc.
No. Paralegals are responsible for performing many of the tasks an attorney would do otherwise, such as conducting legal research or preparing a case file. Legal secretaries fill a more administrative role within the law firm.
Yes. Paralegals can work in any state because unlike attorneys, paralegals are not bound to a specific state licensing board.
Yes, you can go from a paralegal to a lawyer. Starting as a paralegal can provide great insight into how the legal system works. However, you will need a bachelor’s degree before you can apply for law school and pass a state bar exam.
Instructors
Casey Thompson is a licensed attorney in Texas. Before he started teaching, his major areas of practice were business and corporate law, entertainment law, and intellectual property rights. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and holds a law degree from the Texas A&M School of Law. Along with his online paralegal courses, Thompson also teaches in the areas of state and federal government at the college level.