To be recognized by the Missouri Bar, a paralegal program must satisfy three requirements. It must be approved by the American Bar Association. It must have membership in the American Association for Paralegal Education. The school must be accredited by the appropriate regional oversight organization, such as the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
The American Association for Paralegal Education outlines a number of skills desired in a prospective paralegal. A candidate must have a thorough understanding of the American legal and judicial system and possess critical thinking, organization, and communication skills. Another key component is legal research and writing ability, and computer skills are increasingly necessary in the field. A background in investigation and interview skills is desired. The student must understand law office management as well as the ethical obligations of the position.
A variety of relevant coursework is prescribed for the paralegal candidate, including the role of the paralegal, procedural and substantive elements of law, and an overview of the American judicial system. Other integral topics include ethics, relevant computer skills, and courses in research, writing and investigative methods.
Paralegal certification requires each candidate to complete 120 hours in a paralegal internship or practicum. This hands-on experience allows the student to learn about the position in the real world, outside the classroom. In certain cases, this requirement can be waived for candidates who already possess sufficient work experience in the field. Paralegal experience is "the performance of substantive legal work, non-clerical or non-administrative in nature, that absent a paralegal, an attorney would perform," according to the state bar.
The Missouri Bar recognizes paralegal training received at a variety of levels of education. A one-year undergraduate program meets the minimum state requirements for education and concludes with the issuance of a certificate in the field. Paralegal education may also be recognized when completed as part of a course of study in the field of law at the associate, baccalaureate or postgraduate levels.