Paralegal Schools

At Paralegal Schools you will be able to find information on studying paralegal studies and criminal justice.

What Is A Paralegal?
To help you decide whether the paralegal profession is a good career move for you, you first need to know what a paralegal is and information on salaries and benefits. NFPA's Telly Award Winning Video "Paralegals: Enhancing Practice, Professionalism & Profitability," can be viewed at no charge. You will need to add it to the shopping cart and proceed through the checkout.

If You Don't Have a Bachelor's Degree, Should You Enroll in a Two-year or Four-year Program?
Paralegals can receive education from paralegal programs offered at two-year and four-year colleges or universities. Proprietary schools generally award post-baccalaureate certificates. NFPA's findings indicate 85% of all paralegals receive some formal paralegal education. Paralegal education programs offer degrees and/or certificates.

NFPA recommends that future practitioners should have a four-year degree to enter the profession. Individuals receiving a formal paralegal education should have 24 semester hours or the equivalent of legal specialty courses to enhance their ability to practice as paralegals.

NFPA recognizes that a two-year degree with an emphasis in paralegal studies is acceptable to employers in some markets as a minimum criterion for individuals to enter the paralegal profession. However, current trends across the country, as illustrated through various surveys, indicate that formal paralegal education has become a requirement to secure paralegal employment, and a four-year degree is the hiring standard in many markets. Consequently, NFPA recommends that future practitioners should have a four-year degree to enter the profession, and individuals receiving a formal paralegal education should have 24 semester hours or the equivalent of legal specialty courses to enhance their ability to practice as paralegals.

It is NFPA's intent to provide the necessary foundation from which paralegals may expand their roles in the future. In recognizing a two-year degree and recommending a four-year degree, NFPA has taken the lead in providing the profession with the necessary tools to prepare for its future role in the delivery of legal services.