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Studies & Degrees in Paralegal Studies

Paralegal studies prepare students to do legal work under the supervision of a lawyer. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes paralegals and legal assistants as people who support lawyers by maintaining and organising files, conducting legal research and drafting documents. A paralegal is not a lawyer. The University of New Haven, one of the schools in this list, puts it this way: a paralegal performs specifically delegated substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney who is responsible for that work, and may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

According to the BLS, paralegal programmes usually include courses in legal research, legal writing and an introduction to law and the legal system, together with specific areas such as criminal, family or contract law. Students also learn to gather the facts of a case, organise evidence and prepare documents for court.

Qualifications and levels

The subject is taught mainly in the United States, at several levels.

  • Associate degree. The BLS states that paralegals typically need an associate's degree or a certificate in paralegal studies to enter the occupation. North Idaho College, for example, teaches its Paralegal programme as an Associate of Applied Science degree.
  • Bachelor's degree. Some employers prefer or require a bachelor's degree. The University of New Haven offers a paralegal studies concentration within its B.S. in Legal Studies, alongside an associate degree in legal studies and a paralegal certificate; the university states that these three options are approved by the American Bar Association.
  • Certificate. Many candidates take a degree in another subject, such as social science or business, and add a certificate in paralegal studies.
  • Certification. This is something different from a certificate. NALA, the US paralegal association, explains that a certificate recognises completion of a learning programme, while a certification validates knowledge and skills against a professional standard. The BLS notes that certification is not required, although some employers prefer or require it, and that candidates must meet education and work experience requirements to sit the exam.
  • United Kingdom. The National Association of Licensed Paralegals describes a paralegal as someone legally trained and educated to perform legal tasks who is not a qualified solicitor, and points out that there is no statutory regulation for paralegals. Courses are offered by private providers: Online Training College, a distance-learning college in this list, teaches paralegal diplomas at intermediate and advanced level and asks for some office experience but no previous legal experience.

Ask the school what recognition its qualification has, and in the United States whether the programme is approved by the American Bar Association, before enrolling.

Where to study paralegal studies

SpainExchange lists 31 active schools for paralegal studies. Twenty-nine are in the United States; Germany and the United Kingdom have one each. Most of the US schools are community and technical colleges, such as North Idaho College, Tacoma Community College, Bucks County Community College, Bergen Community College and Lansing Community College. The list also has universities, among them the University of New Haven, Morehead State University and Mount St. Joseph University.

Paralegal training is tied to one legal system. A US programme teaches US law and court procedure, in English; the courses of Online Training College cover the legal systems of the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Choose the country where you intend to work, because the knowledge does not transfer directly to another legal system.

Careers

Most paralegals work for law firms: according to the BLS, 75 percent of paralegal and legal assistant jobs in the United States are in legal services, and the rest are mainly in local, state and federal government and in finance and insurance. Some employers hire people without legal education and train them on the job.

The BLS projects employment of paralegals and legal assistants to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. It still expects about 40,800 openings a year on average, most of them to replace workers who move to other occupations or leave the labour force.

Frequently asked questions

Is a paralegal a lawyer?

No. A paralegal does delegated legal work under the supervision of a lawyer, who remains responsible for it. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except where the law permits it.

What qualification do I need to become a paralegal in the United States?

According to the BLS, paralegals typically need an associate's degree or a certificate in paralegal studies. Some employers prefer or require a bachelor's degree.

What is the difference between a paralegal certificate and certification?

A certificate shows that you completed a course of study. A certification, such as the one NALA awards, is obtained by passing an exam that tests knowledge and skills against a professional standard. Certification is not compulsory.

Can I work as a paralegal in another country with a US qualification?

Not directly. Paralegal programmes teach the law and procedure of one legal system, so check what employers and professional bodies in the other country expect.