Law Schools and Paralegal Colleges

Law schools and paralegal colleges are usually two separate types of educational programs with law schools designed to prepare students to be bar certified attorneys and paralegal colleges designed to prepared students for the interesting and demanding work of a paralegal. Both programs will have some similarities in their course work, covering laws, court proceedings, and civil and criminal law as well as other areas of specialization. In addition both courses of study will require commitment to the program and a great deal of both theory and practical applications of lecture materials.

All students graduating from law school that wish to continue on to actually practicing law must first complete a bar exam, which is very intense and lengthy. Not all students that graduate from law school will pass the bar exam, so selecting a program of study that has a high percentage of graduates that pass the bar exam is very important. Typically these high ranking schools will have a strict entrance requirement and will only accept students that meet this criteria. Excellent undergraduate grades and completion of high course level programs in English and other core courses is essential. From this undergraduate degree students should expect another three to four years of full time legal school to graduate. In some areas a practicum, known in many areas as a clerkship program, may be offered, which provides students a chance to work in a law firm handling real cases before taking the bar exam.

Paralegal colleges and schools may be online or held in traditional campus type programs. Typically a paralegal program will include either an Associates degree or a certificate program for students that already have an undergraduate degree. Paralegal colleges and schools offer both theory based as well as practical courses and provide students with the opportunity to put into practice what they learn in classes. Paralegals in some states may also be required to be certified or credentialed through specific state programs, although this is voluntary in most states and areas. Emphasis in paralegal programs is on research, filing, working with clients, preparing documents and general legal and clerical work involved in handling clients.

Law schools and paralegal colleges offer several options for students to complete their course of study. Students interested in either program should look for colleges and schools that have a proven record of graduating high quality attorneys and paralegals. Faculty will be important as with any type of education, however look for schools that have instructors and professors that continue to be active in their professional field as well as in teaching. In addition look for programs that have work experience options or programs that help to place students after graduation. This is often more important for students in paralegal training programs than for those in law schools, however work experience can be used on a resume and can also be important in landing that first job after graduation.