Are you required to have college credits or a Bachelors degree, before pursing a paralegal certificate?

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1. Greco said:

   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

   July 29th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
2. blrejz said:

   Several schools offer a variety of options for a certificate or diploma programs. There are some paralegal degrees that require only a high school diploma or that allow students with previous legal experience, such as legal secretaries, to enroll without a college degree.

   July 29th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
3. gettingby said:

   I will be attending a paralegal course this Fall at a local community college. I have a BA and I will receive this certificate after 36 credits, including an internship. The school also has an Associates degree program for this. So, if you do not have a BA, you can get the Associates, so you will wind up with the 60 credits at the end, which is what the ABA requires. So, if the school is ABA-approved, you are ok-you will just take their course. I am taking the same classes that the students in the Assoc. program will take at the end, after and during the 30+ credits of general ed. The classes build, so there are certain gen ed. requirements that need to be completed before each class. Since I have the BA, I did those. So, I am jumping ahead in essence.

   So, basically, you need the credits, but in an Associates program you are getting them as you go, so that satisfies the requirements.

   Check your local colleges and see if they are ABA-approved. Be careful-many are not! You will be fine if they are.

   Good luck!

   July 29th, 2010 at 8:12 pm

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