Stuck in a Law School Bubble?

Consider Blackstone’s Online Paralegal Certificate Program!

  There are other options besides Law School. Education that teaches you how to become a Paralegal should not cost you a fortune.  Nor should this type of education take up years of your time.  Luckily, there are accredited online universities that grant affordable, respectable education. One of the best ways to prepare for your career as a Paralegal or Legal Assistant is from an accredited, online Paralegal Certificate Program.  A few online paralegal programs satisfy the basic requirements to be eligible for an entry level career. However, certification matters! With a Paralegal certificate earned from Blackstone Career Institute’s online paralegal certificate program, graduates will meet the criteria needed to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal (CLA/CP) exam given by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).  

Definition of Legal Assistant or Paralegal

Legal assistants, or paralegals, are a distinguishable group of persons who assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Legal assistants and paralegals cannot give legal advice. Only attorneys are allowed to perform this specific job task. In recognition of the similarity of the definitions, the ABA adopted the following definition: a legal assistant or paralegal is a person qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. Through formal education, training and experience, legal assistants gain knowledge and expertise in the legal system and substantive and procedural law which qualify them to do work under the supervision of an attorney. Law School is not the only means to obtain these requirements. Blackstone Career Institute is an online career training institute that helps you fulfill your Paralegal Certificate requirements. Additionally, we provide students with additional online certificate programs and career training for several other fields.  

Career

The US Department of Labor projects the Paralegal employment rates to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026. In other words, this rate is much faster than the average employment growth. Formally trained paralegals with strong computer and database management skills should have the best job prospects. You can expect to earn an attractive salary when you become a paralegal. According to the  Occupational Outlook Handbook, top paralegal pay was over $80,260 in 2016, while the middle 50 percent of paralegals earned an average of $49,500. Paralegals are often asked to perform a variety of tasks. This may include initial case analyzing and researching, drafting legal documents, and using public records/ news sources to compile information. Blackstone’s online Paralegal program provides the LexisNexis® Total Research System, including Shepard’s® Citations Service  

Job Options

Choosing to become a paralegal opens up a wide range of employment opportunities at private law firms, large corporations, insurance companies, and government agencies. Some paralegals choose to work in community legal aid offices, helping to bring legal services to those who wouldn’t normally have access to such help. Furthermore, certified paralegals benefit from a high level of job security. A steadily increasing need for paralegals in the private sector as well as in various government offices means the need for paralegals will continue to grow. This is because paralegals can provide many of the same services as lawyers, at a lower cost. Paralegals also work for federal, state, and local government. Large numbers of paralegals work for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Department of Justice, Department of Treasury, and Department of Defense. The paralegal field, with its unlimited variety of employers, specialties, and positions, likely holds the perfect opportunity for you. Regardless of your interests, a Paralegal Career likely holds the job position perfect for your future opportunities. Are you ready to become a paralegal? With a certificate from Blackstone, enter a respected profession with a competitive salary, high job security, and rewarding job responsibilities.  Have peace of mind knowing that you’ve learned from a first-rate online school program.