Paralegal Studies
Overview
Paralegal programs prepare people to do legal research and give support to lawyers. These programs are sometimes called legal assistance programs.Paralegal programs include topics such as:
- Legal research
- Drafting legal documents
- Pleading
- Courthouse procedures
Paralegal programs prepare students for work in law offices, courthouses, and government agencies.
Schools
Many career and technical schools as well as most community colleges offer certificate and associate degree programs in paralegal studies. A certificate program usually takes a year of full-time study. An associate degree program usually takes two years of full-time study.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in paralegal studies. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Communication and Speech Studies
- Criminal Justice
- English Composition and Writing
- Executive Secretarial Studies
- Law
- Legal Secretarial Studies
- Pre-Law
- Public Administration
- Social Sciences, General
- Technical and Business Writing
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
- Arbitrators and Mediators
- Court Clerks
- Foreign Service Officers
- Law Clerks
- Lawyers
- Legal Secretaries
- Title Examiners and Searchers
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program of study by getting your high school diploma or GED.
Admission requirements for paralegal programs vary. Some programs require a college degree (associate or bachelor's). Others accept students with a high school diploma and legal work experience. At some paralegal schools, you have to pass a writing exam to be accepted.
For this program, schools recommend that you know how to use a computer and the Internet.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Business Computer Applications
- English Composition
- Political Science
- School Governance
- Technical Writing
- US Government
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Business/Corporate Law
- Civil Procedure
- Contracts
- Family Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Litigation
- Property Transactions
- Torts
- Trust and Estates
You may also take courses in specialized areas of the law, such as intellectual property, criminal, environmental, elder law, bankruptcy, and tax law.
Things to Know
Many paralegal programs are offered part time, with options for day and evening classes.
Paralegals often take Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses throughout their career. These classes keep paralegal's skills and knowledge up-to-date.
Schools
King-Snohomish Area
Central Washington University - Des Moines
- Law and Justice
Central Washington University - Lynnwood
- Law & Justice
Edmonds Community College
- Computer Information Systems--Paralegal-Electronic Discovery & Forensics Specialist
- Paralegal
- Paralegal--Advanced Paralegal Certificate
Highline College
- Paralegal
- Paralegal Plus
Spokane Area
Spokane Community College
- Paralegal
Tacoma Area
Tacoma Community College
- Paralegal
- Paralegal Preferred Pro
- Paralegal--Limited License Legal Technician
West Side Area
South Puget Sound Community College
- Paralegal
Whatcom Community College
- Paralegal Studies
- Paralegal Studies--Limited License Legal Technician