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I’m 33 years old and I decided to go back to get my paralegal degree. I live in Illinois and I don’t have any experience in this field, but I will be willing to orientate to the position. Should I continue to get my bachelors degree or should I just focus on the paralegal certificate? Are degrees from online programs acceptable for the lawfirms in Illinois? What’s the best thing for me to do? Please only serious attorneys or professional within a law firm reply! Thanks..

It is very, very difficult to get into a paralegal position with no experience, pretty much impossible. They all want 3+ years experience and a 2 year degree only substitutes for 1 year. I got my associates degree in paralegal studies and for a whole year tried to find a law firm to hire me without any experience…well I couldn’t find one. I had to start at a law office as a legal secretary and work my way up the ladder.

A certificate from an online program is not worth anything. If you are serious about this then you should get your associates or bachelors in paralegal studies. You can find a list of institutions in your area that are American Bar Association accredited on the ABA’s website. Here’s the link… http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/il.html

Non ABA accredited places are no good and potential employers will not be impressed, just as they won’t be impressed by a mere certifcate or something from an online program. They want to see that you are dedicated, committed and a hard worker. A simple certificate or something from an online program shows that you are not.

My advice to you is to try and get your foot in the door at a law office NOW, start as a legal secretary, receptionist or clerk. Build up law office experience while you go to school. That way, when you graduate you have a degree and law office experience, even though it isn’t paralegal experience, it is better than nothing. And while you are finishing school, talk to your employer about the possibility of promotion once you complete your degree.

If you plan ahead your transition into the legal field and into a paralegal position won’t be too difficult.

Best of luck to you!!

Only if the individual has a more traditional background as well as the online degree, and if the degree is from a respected institution.

Employers always prefer to hire employees who have a strong work record, particularly with experience in the field. With online degrees, this is even more important.

If you have no experience, go for the bricks and mortar school.

I am attending Kaplan University and am completing my associates as a paralegal. If anyone knows would it hold me back from getting a good job by having an online only degree?

As long as its an accredited institution it makes no difference. I am going to college also and I would say that 95% of my classes so far have been internet classes, any degree I earn isn’t going to tell my prospective employer if it was long distance education or in the class room its just going to indicate that I passed and earned my degree. Honestly thats all employers care about, that you have that certificate.

I see alot of jobs posted online that states that either you need a bachelors degree, or a paralegal certificate. But when I search online for aba approved paralegal certificate programs, most of them say that you need a Bachelors degree or 60 college credits. Thanks

From the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Most entrants have an associate degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor’s degree coupled with a certificate in paralegal studies.

Check local community colleges or accredited business schools in your area to see if they offer an associates in paralegal studies.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm

What can i do with an associates or bachelors degree in paralegal studies? What are the primary responsibilitiess of such a position? Is there room for advancement? What is a REALLY quality online program to earn such degrees?

And please, no profane nor obscene comments. Let’s keep it Holy. Thank you in advance for your professional, poignant and articulate responses. : )

As a previous poster said, do not attend an online paralegal program. The only programs worth your time and money are those approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). I did a 2 year associates degree program and found it very, very rewarding.

Paralegal job duties vary depending on the size of the firm and the type of law. In small law firms paralegals tend to also bear the duties of a legal secretary, office manager, and sometimes cleaning crew. I once worked for a sole practitioner and had to do everything from cleaning her office, making coffee and answering phones to writing legal briefs and researching case law.

In a mid size firm, where there is a legal secretary, the paralegals just work their cases and assist their attorneys. This can include duties such as scheduling appointments/consultations, maintaining attorney calendars, correspondence with clients, performing legal research, drafting pleadings, court filings, case tracking, and much more.

However, a paralegal education, even an associates degree, does not qualify nor prepare one to work as a paralegal. Like a previous poster said, many have to start entry level as a clerk or secretary and work their way up. With 2 years law office experience and a 2 year paralegal degree you should be ready to work as a paralegal.

If you have any more questions e-mail me.

Phoenix? CTU? Kaplan? FMU?

Am hoping to study Legal Assistant/Paralegal [maybe Criminal Justice] online. Would like to start with my Associates, continue to Bachelors, and finally study for my law degree. Where do I go to find impartial information about each college, its reputation, costs, accreditation, etc?

Thank you.
These are great answers. Thank you for your help. I will leave the question open while I check out those sites.

I am doing the Associate in Paralegal studies through Virginia College Online. They are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools Which is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Virginia College Online is offered through an actual on campus college, Virginia College at Birmingham in Alabama.

This means They have a federal school code and through them you are eligible for student aid through FAFSA.

It is costing roughly $11,000/yr including books, fees, and tuition. The program is 96 hours and they charge $325/credit hour.

Whichever school you choose, research their accreditation through CHEA and the USDE (links below.) You can also check their reputation through the Better Business Bureau.

i have a degree from an accredited university from taking in-class courses, but i wanna take some online courses to get a paralegal degree.

Absolutely NO – I do not know of any credible employer or any accredited university that accepts on-line course work as a credential or qualification for a job or for a higher degree.

I have been told by so many people that it is going to be hard for me to get into the field because attorneys are looking for ones who have at least two to five years of experience. I got my degree online and did not go through intership. So somebody please tell me how can I go to work in this field. I got two kids I got to take care of
I live in mississippi and it is hard to find a job. I have been told by several people that my resume is good but I am still wondering why I can’t get a job

Well, I am a paralegal and I didn’t even get a degree in that field! So I promise, there are people out there who will hire you! Look for a small office, like if they’re looking for a secretary, because that’s how my job was advertised, and I am a paralegal. If all else fails, lie on the resume. That works, I’ve done that too! (shh, don’t tell!) Good luck!

Can someone with credibility and experience on the subject tell me what exactly is the purpose and difference between recieving a Bachelor’s in Legal Studies Degree and a Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies? What kind of information and help can you give someone pursueing these degrees online? Thank you in advance!!!

No experience on the subject, other than that I believe the Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies is geared towards becoming a paralegal so I think you get to take specific classes that would help you in the career and the BLS would be general classes (you can’t practice law with a BLS).

However, I do think each school is different. Some unaccredited law schools have BLS that are conveyed upon the students who eventually get J.D.s.

I prefer to stay away from DeVry and UOP. I would like a community college for my associates but am not sure if they will offer a complete online degree. Any help would be great.

This site has a couple more schools offering paralegal programs to help broaden your search a bit hopefully:

http://www.ecollegefinder.org/online-paralegal-bachelors-degree.aspx

Good luck!