Admissions
ADMISSIONS
High School Diploma or GED/ High school equivalent
Completion time
Completion time
The average student completes in 6-12 months
average salary
average salary
According to Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median salary is $60,970
certification
certification
Certified Paralegal (CP®) through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
accreditations
accreditations
What does a legal assistant/ paralegal do?
A legal assistant/paralegal is an integral member of the legal team, assisting attorneys in providing quality legal services to clients or organizations they represent. Like attorneys, legal assistants/paralegals work on diverse cases, contribute to the pursuit of justice, and can specialize in multiple legal areas, such as corporate law, personal injury, immigration, family law, and real estate.
A legal assistant/paralegal undertakes a wide variety of administrative tasks and legal work. Here is a closer look at a list of responsibilities which vary depending on setting:
- Preparing preliminary drafts of various legal documents
- Interviewing prospective clients or witnesses
- Conducting research on legal issues, statutes, regulations, and case laws
- Communicating with clients throughout the legal process
- Fact-checking legal filing and documents
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents in paper or electronic filing systems
- Helping with trial preparation by preparing exhibits, witnesses, and trial binders.
- Performing administrative duties, such as scheduling meetings, answering phone calls, managing calendars, and handling correspondence
- Utilizing legal software and technology for document management, research, case tracking, and other law-related tasks
- Adhering to ethical guidelines and maintaining strict confidentiality regarding client information and privileged communications
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Blackstone’s Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed for an entry-level career in a variety of legal work environments. The curriculum covers the fundamentals of several areas of law, the differences in civil actions and criminal procedures, the most efficient way to conduct legal research, the duties and ethics of a legal assistant/paralegal, and tips on how to begin your career. This program qualifies graduates to sit for the prestigious Certified Paralegal (CP ®) credential offered by National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
Certification may help you meet employer requirements, access better career opportunities, and increase earning potential. If you’re interested in additional preparation, resources, and practice exams, you can purchase the NALA Certification Bundle here.
Program outcomes
- Define law and identify basic legal terms
- Explain legal concepts related to contracts
- Identify aspects of torts
- Identify legal cause, negligence, and deceit
- Demonstrate an understanding of civil and criminal defamation
- Give the legal definition of property and describe damages
- Distinguish a crime from a tort and list the three classes of crime
- Describe larceny and identify the three degrees of larceny
- Identify legal terms related to real property
- Identify actions to recover damages in civil suits
- Identify legal terms related to civil actions
- Identify legal terms related to criminal procedure
- Explain the process of criminal procedure
- Identify and explain legal concepts related to wills
- Identify and explain legal concepts related to trusts and trustees
- Explain how partnerships and corporations are formed
- Discuss the elements of constitutional law
- Describe how legal research should be conducted
- Identify effective job-search techniques for legal assistants/paralegals
- Describe common ethics related to the paralegal profession
what you will make
Employment for a legal assistant/paralegal is projected to grow 4 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Formally trained legal assistant/paralegals with strong computer and database management skills should have the best job prospects.
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the top legal assistant/paralegal salary was over $98,830 in 2023, while the middle 50% of paralegals earned an average of $60,970
MEDIAN SALARY
$60,970
SELECT THE PAYMENT OPTION THAT WORKS FOR YOU
Blackstone Career Institute makes it easy for you to receive a quality education at an affordable price point. Everything you need to complete your Online Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program with Blackstone Career Institute is included in your tuition. Choose the payment plan that best fits your needs and learn how to become a Legal Assistant/Paralegal today!
Full Payment Plan total costs includes $1,064 Tuition and $150 registration fee.
PAYMENT PLAN I
$
79
Month
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SAVE $144
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Most popular plan
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$59 down payment, 15 monthly payments of $79, final payment of $54
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Total $1,298
16 month autopay plan requires a down payment of $59 with 15 monthly payments of $79, and final payment of $54. Total cost includes $1,064 tuition, $150 registration fee, and $84 finance fee.
PAYMENT PLAN II
$
59
Month
-
Lowest monthly payments
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$59 down payment, 23 monthly payments of $59, final payment of $26
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Total $1,442
24 month autopay plan requires a down payment of $59 with 23 monthly payments of $59, and final payment of $26. Total cost includes $1,064 tuition, $150 registration fee, and $228 finance fee.
Refund Policy
At Blackstone, our student service team focuses on student satisfaction. However, if you choose not to continue your studies we offer a refund policy. Cancellations within the first 5 days of enrollment receive a full refund. After the first 5 days your refund amount is based on tuition collected, lessons completed and enrollment date. Learn more about our refund policy.
At Blackstone, our student service team focuses on student satisfaction. However, if you choose not to continue your studies we offer a refund policy. Cancellations within the first 5 days of enrollment receive a full refund. After the first 5 days your refund amount is based on tuition collected, lessons completed and enrollment date. Learn more about our refund policy.
Course Materials included
Blackstone’s Legal Assistant/Paralegal program materials provide a strong foundation in the fundamentals of the law including but not limited to, the rules of law, their origin, nature, and growth. Blackstone’s Modern American Law Series, Law Glossary. Legal Research & Writing, and Ethics are accessed through your Online Student account. Additionally, you will receive customized study guides directing you through all your coursework.
Blackstone Law Glossary
Glossary of legal terms, definitions, phrases, and phonetic spelling of the more common word encountered within the paralegal program.
Blackstone Modern American Law Series
Developed by legal scholars and designed to provide a simple yet authoritative commentary on the law. This fourteen-volume set is a valuable lifelong reference for our Legal Assistant/ Paralegal graduates.
Using the Lexis+® database, you will gain a solid foundation in the principles and practice of Legal Research and Writing.
become a Certified paralegal(CP®)
Obtaining certification builds credibility, showcases skills, and demonstrates career commitment to the legal profession. While Blackstone’s Legal Assistant/Paralegal curriculum (915 clock hours) qualifies graduates to sit for NALA’s Certified Paralegal (CP®) Exam, you may be interested in additional preparation, practice exams and resources. To learn more, check out the NALA Certification Bundle below.
- Utilization and Compensation Report
- Facts & Findings (NALA’s quarterly magazine) 1 year subscription
- NALA Career Center
- CP® Review Course Bundle (10 CP® review courses)
- CP® Practice Exam
- NALA CP® Fundamentals Book
3. CP® Exam Voucher Package
- Application Fee/Voucher
- Knowledge Exam Testing Center Fee
- Skills Exam Testing Center Fee
Total: $998.00
Meet Your Instructor
Jeff Hauck, MSc, MOS, JD, Ph.D (ABD)
Mr. Hauck holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) in Criminal Justice from DeSales University, a Master of Science degree (MSc) in Criminal Justice from Purdue University Global, a Master of Operational Studies (MOS) from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree (JD) from Widener University School of Law where he graduated from the Law and Government Institute with a concentration in Constitutional and Administrative Law, and is All But Dissertation (ABD) status in a current research Ph.D program in Criminology.
Mr. Hauck is a retired Municipal Police Supervisor and retired Licensed Private Detective. In addition to his position as Chief Operations Officer for Hauck Strategic Consulting (HSC), Mr. Hauck is a Field Grade Officer in the U.S. Army. Through HSC Mr. Hauck has consulted with hundreds of clients providing competent paralegal/legal-assistant services either by working with contracted counsel or in-house counsel necessary to the achievement of their individual planned success. Mr. Hauck understands that the law affects nearly every decision and action businesses and individuals make on a daily basis. As such he knows that a skilled paralegal professional can make the difference between success and failure in the legal and/or corporate environment.
Blackstone participates with the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Program (MyCAA) provides military spouses with an incredible opportunity to pursue licenses, certificates, and certifications necessary for gainful employment in high-demand, high-growth portable career fields.
AS FEATURED IN
FAQs
The terms legal assistant and paralegal are used interchangeably, much like the terms attorney and lawyer.
As the name suggests, a legal assistant/paralegal assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Skills such as clear communication, organization, excellent research and writing, technology skills, attention to detail, a high level of professionalism, and a positive attitude are all important traits for a legal assistant/paralegal to perform their duties.
While most states don’t require a Legal Assistant/Paralegal to be certified, obtaining certification builds credibility, showcases skills, and demonstrates career commitment to the legal profession. Interested in becoming a Certified Paralegal (CP®) through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)? Get the NALA certification bundle here.
Legal assistant/paralegals are employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity to perform specifically delegated substantive legal work. Law firms continue to be the largest employer; however, many large corporations are increasing their in-house legal departments. Legal assistant/paralegals work in a variety of legal practice areas, ranging from litigation and trial practice to tax, real estate transactions, and estate planning.
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BCI is committed to providing quality, relevant, and affordable distance education programs that focus on the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level careers, professional development or personal goals.
