The most common program available for prospective paralegals is the paralegal certificate. It usually lasts seven months. This certificate meets California's requirements for paralegal education. An associate's degree in paralegal studies is also available, normally in a 15-month program. You can also earn a bachelor's degree after three or four years of study.
Kaplan University and the National Paralegal College offers both associate's and bachelor's courses. In the United States, no master's programs are dedicated to the paralegal profession. Some master's programs accept applicants who hold a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, such as Montclair State University's master of arts program in law and governance, and the master of science program in forensic science at Stevenson University.
Required courses vary between universities, but certificate programs commonly include two to four core subjects that cover the skills a paralegal must have. Some core areas in undergraduate programs are authority, research and writing, foundational skills, torts and personal injury, contracts, professional responsibility and legal ethics.
Students can choose a specialty by taking courses that cover a specific field of the law. Fields include include criminal law, real property, domestic relations, business law and bankruptcy, employment law, immigration law, laws of evidence, white-collar crime, constitutional law and criminal procedure, alternative dispute resolution and public communications law.
In associate's and bachelor's programs, students can take general education courses as well as (mainly in bachelor's degree programs) courses in advanced legal science topics. These topics include microeconomics and macroeconomics, international business, American government, American history, principles of management and marketing, math, media and cultural literacy, and sociology. In addition, advanced legal courses include civil litigation, legal document preparation and drafting contracts, and contract provision.