Online paralegal programs teach students the fundamentals of law and provide the training necessary to assist an attorney in legal tasks. These programs are designed for organized individuals who have a passion for law and the legal system. Paralegal degrees are available online at the associate, baccalaureate, and master’s level, and select schools may offer a career diploma or certificate option.

Graduates may seek employment in a law office, corporation, healthcare facility, or financial institution. Programs may provide students the training to become a legal consultant, corporate paralegal, title clerk, construction litigation specialist, or legal assistant.

Available Degree Levels

• Career Diploma: Varies
• Certificate: One to two years to complete
• Associate Degree: Two years to complete
• Bachelor’s Degree: Four years to complete
• Master’s Degree: One to two years to complete

Online paralegal diploma programs better prepare students for advanced positions in the legal field through a rigorous curriculum focused on the core concepts of the field. Coursework for paralegal diploma programs may cover legal research, litigation and trial practice, legal analysis and writing, criminal law, and personal injury litigation. These programs are designed to provide individuals who are either already in the field or are looking for entry-level legal positions a competitive edge.

A certificate program in paralegal studies serves as a stepping stone to a paralegal degree program, training the student on the foundation of law. Obtaining a certificate in paralegal studies may allow students a quick entrance into the legal profession. Coursework may include personal injury law, contracts, legal research, and legal ethics.

An online associate degree in paralegal studies may provide students with a general understanding of the law, enhancing a students’ research, writing, and analytical skills. Associate degrees consist of comprehensive study in many legal areas, such as civil litigation and criminal law. Coursework may include an internship, legal ethics, and legal analysis.

A bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies consists of the basic paralegal core curriculum as well as additional electives designed to allow students to concentrate on a specific field of law, such as corporate law, healthcare law, or family law. Coursework may include administrative law, product liability, and intellectual property.

An online master’s degree in paralegal studies is geared towards current legal professionals who wish to pursue an expanded education on the fundamentals of law. A master’s degree in paralegal studies may train students who want to specialize in a particular type of law, such as international law, healthcare, or corporate compliance. Coursework may include jurisprudence, legal history, applied research, and legal methods and process.

Career Options

Online paralegal programs may provide students the skills and training to seek employment in law offices, corporations, healthcare facilities, or financial institutions. Many paralegals work closely with attorneys researching legal cases and compiling important documents to use in court hearings or depositions. Individuals who have obtained a degree as a paralegal may have the skills to investigate cases, prepare legal reports, draft legal correspondence, and assist lawyers during trials.

Possible career fields include:

• Legal Consultant
• Corporate Paralegal
• Title Clerk
• Construction Litigation Specialist
• Legal Assistant