Online Paralegal Studies Degree
Synchronous Online Paralegal Studies Degree
Earning a paralegal studies degree can help pave the way to a long and rewarding career in the public or private sector. Motivated professionals who successfully complete the requirements to earn their paralegal associate degrees are prepared to enter the workforce immediately after graduation, becoming valuable resources for their employers from the start.
Generations College, training paralegals to succeed in the workforce since 1973, now offers a fully accredited synchronous online paralegal degree program that students can pursue from the comfort of their homes. Registration for summer and fall sessions will be opening soon, so keep watching our website for details.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A PARALEGAL STUDIES DEGREE?
Whether you choose to pursue an in-person or synchronous online paralegal program, you will learn the skills to work as a paralegal in a variety of settings.
Paralegals play important roles supporting attorneys in law offices of all sizes and in all legal practice areas. Yet they are also key members of corporate legal departments for public and private companies large and small.
Paralegals also often work in real estate offices, title companies, insurance companies and legal aid organizations. Another common career path for trained paralegals is working in government offices or in state or federal courthouses.
WHY EARN AN ONLINE PARALEGAL ASSOCIATE DEGREE?
Attending online paralegal school gives busy adults an opportunity to pursue their college degrees while still managing other responsibilities. When opting for a reputable synchronous online paralegal degree program, students can be confident they are getting the same education they would receive in a classroom setting — without the hassle of commuting to or from campus.
When you earn a paralegal certificate online, you don’t need to put your career aspirations on hold to handle today’s obligations.
WHY CHOOSE GENERATIONS COLLEGE'S SYNCHRONOUS ONLINE PARALEGAL PROGRAM?
At Generations College, we understand what it takes to succeed as a paralegal. In fact, the paralegal studies program at Generations College was the first 2-year paralegal program of its kind in Illinois. Our in-person and synchronous online paralegal associate degree programs are designed to provide relevant knowledge and practical skills that today’s legal employers demand.
When evaluating synchronous online paralegal programs, American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation matters. Prospective students can proceed confidently knowing that Generations College’s paralegal studies major is a fully accredited online paralegal degree program.
WHAT SKILLS DO STUDENTS IN ONLINE PARALEGAL SCHOOL LEARN?
Generations College’s synchronous online paralegal program teaches future legal professionals the skills needed to meet the demands of the legal community. When you earn a paralegal certificate online, you will learn how to:
- Understand and use legal terminology effectively
- Prepare and interpret legal documents
- Conduct thorough legal research
- Communicate effectively with attorneys, clients and the courts
- Use legal reasoning and analyze issues with a critical eye
WHAT IS THE EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK FOR ONLINE PARALEGAL PROGRAM GRADUATES?
Graduates of Generations College’s synchronous online paralegal associate degree can earn competitive salaries working as paralegals or legal assistants. The median annual wage nationwide as of May 2019 was $51,740. The annual mean wage for paralegals employed in Illinois was higher, at $59,960.
This is also a career with projected continued growth in job openings. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that the field will grow at a rate of 10% between 2019 and 2029 — much faster than the average of all other occupations.
ONLINE PARALEGAL ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM GOALS
Generations College is committed to ensuring students enrolled in its synchronous online paralegal degree program experience the same outcome as traditional, on-campus degree-seekers. Our program goals include the following:
- Attract and train students who will be able to work effectively as paralegals after graduation.
- Encourage the development of critical thinking, organizational, technological and communication skills.
- Ensure the synchronous online paralegal program remains up to date and competitive.
- Foster community engagement through volunteer opportunities, internships, externships and networking.
- Hire and retain faculty committed to academic excellence.
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION REQUIREMENTS
All students in the Paralegal Studies program must complete at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
Legal specialty credits may be transferred from a regionally accredited, American Bar Association (ABA) approved Paralegal Program. The Program Director of the Paralegal Studies program must approve the transfer of legal specialty courses based on official transcripts and supporting materials (e.g., syllabus, course description) documenting that comparable outcomes have been addressed in the course. Credit-based examination or portfolio will not be given for legal specialty courses.
- A maximum of three (3) legal specialty courses, or the equivalent of nine semester credit hours, may be transferred.
