legal & paralegal degrees and programs
Legal and Paralegal Programs
Legal and paralegal programs are offered at all educational levels, from two-year certificate, to four-year bachelor’s degree, to strictly on-the-job experience and single classes. Students will take classes in law, legal procedure, case distinctions, witness interviewing, and case preparation. Shorthand and stenography may also be offered as part of a legal or paralegal certificate program. At the completion of the program, students will be prepared to work as legal assistants, legal secretaries or paralegals in law firms.
Legal and Paralegal Careers
Paralegals and legal secretaries have a number of different duties. They may assist lawyers with building cases, interviewing witnesses, preparing documents and communications, presenting cases in court, and other legal responsibilities, although they may not give legal advice or collect fees. Certification as a paralegal can be the first stepping stone to a career in law; many paralegals return to law school to advance their legal career. While working under the supervision of a lawyer, paralegals can specialize in criminal law, real estate, government or estate planning, depending on their interests and their career goals.
Legal and Paralegal Students
Students who wish to enter legal or paralegal degree programs should be prepared to study hard. Although the program is not as difficult as a full-fledged law program, still paralegals work hard to research court cases, understand technical terms and get to know the court system. Legal and paralegal courses demand attention to detail and an excellent memory to keep track of client information, case histories and appeal processes.
Legal and paralegal programs are offered at all educational levels, from two-year certificate, to four-year bachelor’s degree, to strictly on-the-job experience and single classes. Students will take classes in law, legal procedure, case distinctions, witness interviewing, and case preparation. Shorthand and stenography may also be offered as part of a legal or paralegal certificate program. At the completion of the program, students will be prepared to work as legal assistants, legal secretaries or paralegals in law firms.
Legal and Paralegal Careers
Paralegals and legal secretaries have a number of different duties. They may assist lawyers with building cases, interviewing witnesses, preparing documents and communications, presenting cases in court, and other legal responsibilities, although they may not give legal advice or collect fees. Certification as a paralegal can be the first stepping stone to a career in law; many paralegals return to law school to advance their legal career. While working under the supervision of a lawyer, paralegals can specialize in criminal law, real estate, government or estate planning, depending on their interests and their career goals.
Legal and Paralegal Students
Students who wish to enter legal or paralegal degree programs should be prepared to study hard. Although the program is not as difficult as a full-fledged law program, still paralegals work hard to research court cases, understand technical terms and get to know the court system. Legal and paralegal courses demand attention to detail and an excellent memory to keep track of client information, case histories and appeal processes.
Featured Schools
Contemplating a Legal and Paralegal Degree? Saint Leo University offers degree programs completely over the Internet in order to meet the needs of adult students who need to balance their professional and educational lives. Saint Leo University's Center for Online Learning was established in October of 1998 to meet the growing needs of adult student. We now have over 5,000 matriculated students and are one of the largest providers of higher education to the military. Saint Leo has been named one of America's Best Universities by U.S. News & World Report. Start your Legal and Paralegal Degree with Saint Leo today!
