Many associate's and bachelor's degree programs are available at community colleges and universities, but only some programs are conducted solely online. A paralegal with a bachelor's degree may qualify for higher-paying positions than those with an associate's degree. Online degree programs allow the student to work from home rather than in a traditional classroom.
Many online paralegal programs award post-baccalaureate certificates. These programs offer intensive training to students that already have a bachelor's degree, regardless of their area of study. The completion time for these programs may vary, but most can be finished in less than 12 months. Online certificate programs may also have flexible deadlines, which will allow the student to work at their own pace.
The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) both offer voluntary certification tests and continuing education classes for paralegals. Certified paralegals and legal assistants must take a number of continuing-education classes and seminars to maintain their certification. Many of these courses are offered online for a fee. The online courses can also be used to prepare for the certification tests or as further job training. The online courses are open for any interested paralegal, even to nonmembers or paralegals without a certification.
Some students may not adapt well to an online format, since these programs usually require more self-discipline, extra reading assignments and less instructor guidance. Traditional classes have more structure than online programs.
Future online paralegal students should also be aware of their program's approval status with the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA has only approved 260 paralegal programs, but it requires that students in approved online programs complete "at least 10 semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction." Although many programs operate without the ABA's approval, some employers may only accept applicants from ABA-approved programs. Check your school's status if you are applying to an out-of-state program or long-distance campuses that may make it difficult to complete this requirement.