If you\u2019re exploring a career as a paralegal, you may be wondering exactly what education you really need to get started in this career. Strictly speaking, a bachelor\u2019s degree is not an absolute requirement for entry into the paralegal profession. You could enter this occupation with just a certificate program or an associate\u2019s degree. However, paralegals who choose to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree enjoy a number of benefits. If you want to maximize your earning potential, improve your career and advancement opportunities or develop greater expertise in the field of legal assisting, you should at least consider enrolling in a bachelor\u2019s degree program.<\/p>\n
The most common educational requirement for an entry-level paralegal role is an associate\u2019s degree, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> (BLS). Half of paralegals<\/a> report an associate\u2019s degree as their highest level of education. However, the BLS recognizes three different educational paths into the paralegal profession \u2013 and statistically, half of the occupation is following one of these paths. In addition to the two-year associate\u2019s degree, paralegals may come to the field from a certificate program approved by the American Bar Association or from a four-year bachelor\u2019s degree program.<\/p>\n If you can become a paralegal with just a two-year degree \u2013 or even a one-year nondegree program \u2013 why should you spend twice as long (or more) pursuing a bachelor\u2019s degree? There are certain benefits to holding a bachelor\u2019s degree as a paralegal, including the potential for higher pay, better job prospects and greater opportunities for advancement. These benefits are so compelling that one-third of paralegals and legal assistants report having a bachelor\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n Paralegal is a <\/strong>paraprofessional career path<\/strong>, which means this role involves performing some aspects of a professional service \u2013 such as legal investigation, research and document drafting \u2013 without being a fully-qualified and licensed professional, like a lawyer. <\/strong><\/p>\n Generally speaking, a bachelor\u2019s degree in paralegal studies<\/a> is more comprehensive than an associate\u2019s degree. Students have the chance to take more advanced and specialized coursework when they devote four years of study instead of two. For paralegals who have a thirst for learning and for being the best they can be at their job, the opportunity to learn more may be reason enough to pursue a bachelor\u2019s degree in and of itself.<\/p>\n Having a bachelor\u2019s degree is likely to equate to a pay raise. The salary difference between paralegals<\/a> with an associate\u2019s degree and a bachelor\u2019s degree can add up to thousands of dollars per year. In fact, while the difference between the low end of the paralegal salary range between those with and without a bachelor\u2019s degree is just a couple thousand dollars \u2013 but at the top of the salary range, that gap rises to $10,000.<\/p>\n Jobs for paralegals are growing at much faster than average rates. The BLS expects opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants to increase by 12 percent over a decade, compared to just 5 percent for all occupations. In total, this should mean 39,000 new jobs for paralegals. Although job prospects in this field should be strong, candidates without a bachelor\u2019s degree may be barred from many roles. It\u2019s not unusual to find paralegal<\/a> job listings that identify a bachelor\u2019s degree as a preferred qualification, if not a requirement.<\/p>\n A bachelor\u2019s degree may also give you more opportunities to advance your career. In larger law firms where there are numerous paralegals \u2013 or multiple departments \u2013 having a bachelor\u2019s degree might be needed to qualify you for a role as a senior paralegal, team lead paralegal or department manager. Some paralegals start out the career to get a firsthand look at life in a law firm and decide if they want to pursue a law school degree and a career as an attorney. Since a bachelor\u2019s degree is required for admission to law school, paralegals considering the lawyer profession often choose to pursue this four-year degree from the start. Some bachelor\u2019s degrees in paralegal studies even offer a pre-law concentration for students pursuing this path.<\/p>\n Bachelor\u2019s degree programs in paralegal studies are valuable for students who want to take advantage of the perks of having a bachelor\u2019s degree, but schools offering these programs are somewhat rare. You can also earn a bachelor\u2019s degree in another field and a certificate. <\/strong><\/p>\n Additional Resources <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n What Is a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Paralegal Studies?<\/a><\/p>\n What Degree Do You Need to Be a Paralegal?<\/a><\/p>\n What Is a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Legal Studies?<\/a><\/p>\n Do I Need a Specific Degree or Complete a Course to Become a Paralegal?<\/a><\/p>\nThe Benefits of a Bachelor\u2019s Degree for Paralegals<\/h2>\n