Guide to earning an online paralegal associate degree
Table of Contents
What to expect | Career pathways | Tips for success | Resources | Choosing a school | Next steps
Why we love online paralegal associate’s
If you want to become a paralegal, an online paralegal associate degree can be an excellent way to prepare for your career. This approximately two-year-long program helps you to acquire the foundational knowledge and skills that are important as a paralegal.
“An online paralegal associate degree program can prepare you for various career paths, such as working in law firms, corporate legal departments or government agencies,” explains Andrew Pickett, a lead trial attorney at Andrew Pickett Law. Pickett also worked as an adjunct instructor in the paralegal program at Eastern Florida State College. “You will gain practical skills and knowledge in legal research, writing and document preparation, which are essential for any paralegal career,” he says.
Earning an online paralegal associate degree may also help students to stand out from other job applicants. While there are no specific educational requirements for this profession, and you can also enroll in a paralegal certificate program, employers often prefer candidates who have a degree that has helped to prepare them for the career. Taking the time to earn a degree can demonstrate your desire to pursue this career and may help you to secure your first position.
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What to expect in an online paralegal associate degree program
Duration
You can expect to take about 60 to 67 credits when completing an online paralegal associate degree. Most programs can be completed in two to two-and-a-half years on a full-time basis.
Coursework
Coursework will include associate level legal studies, English and math topics to help build the skills you will need in your career. Legal coursework might include courses on contracts, legal research, wills and trusts, criminal law, employment law and patents, trademarks and copyrights. English courses might include topics like English composition and business writing, and mathematics courses might include probability and statistics and college algebra.
Practical experience
Quality online paralegal associate degree programs will also include experiential learning opportunities. These might be larger research projects, group projects, and internships. In an online degree program, you may be responsible for identifying local internship opportunities that you can pursue.
These experiential learning opportunities can be highly valuable. “During my time as an instructor in the program, students had access to virtual internships and research projects,” explains Pickett. “These experiential learning opportunities allowed them to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting and develop valuable skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. It also helped them gain hands-on experience, which employers highly value.”
Popular online paralegal associate degree programs
Liberty University Online Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies
The Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies is a flexible degree program designed to provide students with skills that make them marketable as a paralegal. It includes a foundation exploring criminal law and court procedures, writing depositions, real estate transactions, performing title searches and more. The program is delivered as a series of eight-week courses that are held entirely online. This is a 60 credit hour program.
Admission requirements: Not specified
Tuition and fees: Not specified
National Paralegal College Associate of Paralegal Studies
The Associate of Paralegal Studies provides a broad foundation in legal studies and business. The 60 credit hour program encompasses courses in legal topics, as well as in English and math. It prepares students to perform entry-level paralegal tasks, use critical thinking skills and employ basic legal research and analysis skills in their work.
Admission requirements: Not specified
Tuition and fees: Not specified
Catholic University of America Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies
The Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies features flexible classes available online or on-campus. Students will enjoy small class sizes that allow for individualized attention, and courses encompass general education, law, general practice and litigation topics. The program can be completed in two years, and program graduates have gone on to work in the D.C. and Federal government, private law offices and the State Department.
Admission requirements: A high school diploma
Tuition and fees: Not specified
Career pathways with an online paralegal associate degree
Most students who pursue an online paralegal associate degree do so with the goal of becoming a paralegal. Becoming a paralegal can be a rewarding career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2024 median pay for paralegals was $61,010 per year. The BLS predicts that paralegal employment will grow by 0.2% through 2034, which is about as fast as the growth of other occupations. In addition to law firms, which are the main employer of paralegals, corporations are also building their in-house legal departments and are likely to increasingly employ paralegals.
Students may also decide to become a paralegal on their path to becoming a lawyer. The BLS reports that in 2024, lawyers earned a median annual pay of $151,160. The BLS projects that lawyer employment should grow by 4.1% through 2034, which is faster than the average growth for all occupations. That demand will result from the fact that businesses, government and individuals need legal services throughout many areas. Similar to the situation for paralegals, lawyers may increasingly find employment opportunities with corporation in-house legal departments, too.
How to succeed in an online paralegal associate program
“My advice for students pursuing this degree would be ‘be proactive,'” says Pickett. “It’s essential to stay organized, manage your time effectively and take advantage of the resources offered by the program.”
Pickett explains that when earning an online degree, self-motivation and time management are common challenges. However, online degrees are also great options for busy students, since they provide excellent flexibility and convenience. “It’s crucial to stay disciplined and focused while studying online,” he says.
Scheduling time for coursework and studying can help you stay on track. Finding an accountability partner who you can regularly check in with can help to keep you motivated and focused.
Additionally, be sure to take advantage of experiential learning opportunities, like internships. As Pickett says, as an online student, you may need to take a proactive approach in finding potential internships and securing placements. This extra effort can pay off in the experience you’ll gain and the professional connections you’ll make.
Resources for online paralegal students
There are numerous resources to help you plan for a career as a paralegal:
As you look for a degree program to prepare for your paralegal career, review the resources offered by the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA publishes paralegal news and information and also maintains a database of ABA approved paralegal programs.
How to choose the right online paralegal program
Align with your career goals
As you explore paralegal degree programs, consider your career objectives so you can find a program that’s the best fit for your goals. For example, if you want to pursue a paralegal associate degree and then go on to complete a bachelor’s degree program, you might want to look for a school where you can potentially complete both programs, which can simplify the process of transferring credits. If you plan to work in a certain field of law, look for a program that includes coursework in that field.
Evaluate reputation
It’s also important to consider the reputation of any school and program that you plan to attend. Schools and programs with highly positive reputations make impressive additions to your resume, and potential employers are more likely to recognize them. Do some research into what past students are saying about the school, and see if its program graduation rate is positive.
Cost-effective decision making
As you explore different programs, take some time to carefully compare their costs. Rather than choosing the most affordable program, it’s important to consider the value that you’ll get from each program. Explore financial aid options, too, which can help to keep programs within your budget.
Accreditation assurance
Take the time to confirm that each school you’re considering is accredited. Accreditation confirms that a school provides a quality education. Potential employers may look for applicants who have attended an accredited program, which indicates to them that you should have a thorough understanding of the key concepts and knowledge essential to a paralegal career.
Browse our vetted selection of programs
All Online Schools is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Next steps
An online paralegal associate degree program can help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need for a paralegal career. Earning this degree program may make you a more competitive job candidate, and it can also be a great first step if you choose to go on to complete a bachelor’s degree or even pursue a career as a lawyer.
If you would like to become a paralegal, take the first step in your career and explore available online paralegal associate degree programs today—using our widget below.
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All Online Schools is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
All Online Schools is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.