Studying Paralegal Studies: Degrees at a Glance
Associate and bachelor's degree programs in paralegal studies prepare you for employment as a paralegal. You would assist lawyers in a variety of tasks, including organizing and maintaining files, conducting legal research and writing reports (though you can't yourself practice law). Upon graduating, you're prepared to seek positions in law firms, government agencies, corporate legal departments, real estate agencies, insurance companies, health care agencies and financial institutions.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for paralegals are expected to increase by 18% (an average rate) from 2010-2020. Given the popularity of this growing field, competition is expected to be strong, so paralegals who have received formal training are expected to have the best prospects. It is anticipated that graduates with training and education in specialized or high-demand areas of law, such as civil litigation, bankruptcy and environmental law, will be top candidates for employment.
| Associate | Bachelor's | |
|---|---|---|
| Who Is This Degree for? | Students who are interested in law or want to work collaboratively with lawyers | - Students who want to further their education in paralegal studies or learn a specialized area of law |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate mean annual salary* and approximate 10th-90th percentile salary range**) | - Paralegal ($50,000)* - Deputy clerk ($21,000-$53,000)** - Law office manager ($29,000-$79,000)** | - Paralegal ($50,000)* |
| Time to Completion | 2 years full-time | 4 years full-time |
| Prerequisites | High school diploma or GED | High School Diploma or GED |
| Online Availability | Yes | Yes |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics* (figures from 2011), Payscale.com** (figures from 2012)
