Earning an Online Paralegal Certificate
An online paralegal certificate is a fast-paced, convenient way to start in the legal industry without needing years of training. Accredited programs like those offered at Washington Technical institute that offers accredited certificates are recognized by employers and the government throughout the United States.
Online courses can be completed at your own pace. In a matter of months, it is possible to complete a certification and start a new career as a paralegal.
Entry into an online paralegal program is easy: enroll online and begin working on the required courses towards your paralegal certification. The online classroom environment is robust and interesting. Students enjoy an interactive learning environment that provides all learning materials and social aspects of an online paralegal program.
Earning a Degree with an Online Paralegal Program
Certifications or degrees require a strong legal foundation learned over the course of months or years if you opt to go to school offline. College-level courses may include the following courses or similar courses that cover the same material:
- Introduction to law – Learning the basics of law.
- Legal research – How to conduct legal research.
- Legal writing and reasoning – How to write briefs, structure writing properly, and the reasoning behind legal jargon and requirements.
- Legal technologies – An introduction and overview of technologies and databases used in the legal industry.
Students will also be introduced to multiple areas of law, including:
- Business
- Real estate
- Litigation
- Probate and family
Paralegals will graduate from an online program with an in-depth knowledge of the law. As an essential worker in a law firm or corporate environment, paralegals perform a lot of the research, calls, and writing that lawyers use on a daily basis.
The rise of lawyers and the need for legal services make this a career that enjoys faster-than-average growth.
Career Growth for Paralegals
A career as a paralegal is a secure one, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasting that the industry will grow at a rate of 12% between 2018 and 2028. The growth is much faster than average and will add 39,000 new positions over a 10-year span.
Salary Expectations for a Paralegal
Paralegals work for law firms, legal departments, and government agencies. As a paralegal, you can expect to earn $24.87 per hour, or $51,740 year in median pay as of May 2019. Deadlines are strict and often require a paralegal to work more than 40 hours per week to meet strict deadlines.
There are over 325,000 paralegals in the United States, and the demand for these professionals is not slowing down.
Benefits of an Online Paralegal Certification
Online paralegal programs offer distinct benefits to everyone who wants to start a career in the legal industry. The benefits of online programs include:
- Complete coursework in under four months, for most courses.
- Enjoy accredited, fully recognized certifications accepted across the U.S.
- Learn at your own pace – perfect for busy adults transitioning to new careers.
- Gain access to a robust online community with hands-on experience through leading legal technology.
- Speak to other students in the class and expand your professional network.
- Learn from anywhere in the world, whether you are on the road or at home.
- Pay an all-inclusive price that covers all costs and does not include additional, hidden fees.
- Work through modules at your own pace and take the time to fully understand the course material.
Online programs enable you to start your career as a paralegal in as little as four months or less, depending on your availability. Students can complete their course material after work, in the morning or at a time that is best suited to their needs.
Tuition is listed clearly on the school website, with no surprise bills or worries about parking passes. Best of all, students always graduate debt-free from Washington Technical Institute.
The entire program can be completed online, and accreditation ensures that law firms will value your education, and you can still enjoy the social aspect of a college or university.
