| FACT - Today's economy is forcing many to seek | | | | which paralegals are in most demand. |
| new careers. | | | | For more than 30 years intensive, nationally acclaimed |
| FACT - Paralegal is a growing profession with a | | | | programs have been available at many college and |
| documented "bright outlook". | | | | universities. These professional study programs are |
| Unfortunately, like most things - time and money are | | | | designed for beginning as well as advanced legal |
| the biggest hurdles. The accessibility of information on | | | | workers. Students from all backgrounds and education |
| the Internet can make this task easier. It can also | | | | levels can get the education and training they need to |
| make it harder. How does someone make a decision | | | | get a new job without breaking the bank. Courses are |
| when so much information is available? Programs with | | | | designed to give a students the education and training |
| more advertising and higher visability tend to come | | | | necessary to become a paralegal or other legal |
| with higher price tags. The solution- Search smart and | | | | support professional in the most effective way |
| keep your end goal in sight! | | | | possible. Current tuition to become a paralegal through |
| Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is | | | | one of these programs can be found for as little as |
| expected to grow 28% between 2008 and 2018, | | | | $1089. |
| much faster than the average for all occupations. | | | | The Paralegal Certificate Course can be completed in |
| According to the US Department of Labor the | | | | 14 weeks on line, and as quickly as 6 weeks through a |
| average paralegal salary will rise to $44,480 in 2010. In | | | | live lecture course. Students are able to choose |
| addition to earning a salary, paralegals also receive | | | | different formats giving them options to find the best fit |
| vacation, paid sick leave, a savings plan, life insurance, | | | | for their own schedule. |
| personal paid time off, dental insurance, and | | | | Additional certificate courses offered by many |
| reimbursement for continuing legal education. Statistics | | | | Continuing Education and Professional Studies |
| for other legal professions can be found on the US | | | | departments include: Legal Investigator, Legal |
| Department of Labor website by clicking the | | | | Secretary, Legal Nurse Consultant, Mediation and |
| "Occupational Handbook" link. | | | | Victim Advocacy. Many of the courses can be |
| Paralegal students are trained to interview witnesses, | | | | completed in 7 weeks with the modest tuition price of |
| investigate complex fact patterns, research the law, | | | | $525 plus books. No where else can students gain |
| prepare legal documents, and assist in preparing cases | | | | such comprehensive training in such a short amount of |
| for courtroom litigation. The instruction should be | | | | time for their money. |
| practice-oriented and relate to those areas of law in | | | | |