Four-Year Bachelor's Degree

• A limited number of colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in the paralegal field. As with all four-year degree programs, many courses will focus on general education requirements, while only a handful of classes within the major will delve into paralegal-specific topics. Paralegals need to develop their research and writing skills, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recommends taking courses in related areas like language arts and social studies to better prepare for entry into the paralegal field.
  
  

Two-Year Associate's Degree

• Holding a bachelor's degree is not necessarily a requirement for aspiring paralegals. In fact, the most common path to a career as a paralegal is to earn an associate's degree through a two-year paralegal program at a community college or trade school, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
  
  

Certificate Programs

• Paralegal certificate programs stand out as standard methods of entry into this field, particularly for those who have already earned a college degree in a major outside the realm of paralegal studies. Certificate programs vary greatly, though most take only a few months or a year to complete. Such programs focus exclusively on practical paralegal topics, providing students with a more intensive and efficient course of study that allows them to hone their skills in a shorter period of time.
  
  

The American Bar Association

• Over 1,000 schools offer formal paralegal training programs in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. However, only a select few feature paralegal programs approved by the American Bar Association. As of 2008, approximately 260 programs had ABA approval. Although many employers do not require their paralegals to hold degrees or certification from ABA-approved institutions, it certainly helps to enhance employment opportunities and distinguish candidates from the rest of the pack.
  
  

Career Outlook

• The U.S. Department of Labor anticipates employment in the paralegal profession to grow by 28 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the national average for all occupations. Demand for skilled paralegals will continue to grow as will competition for jobs. Paralegals typically earn anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on the employer and the location. As of 2008, the average salary for paralegals was around $49,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.