Degree Requirements: Bryant & Stratton College offers an intricate degree plan that will teach students the basic knowledge needed to pursue the practice of law. In addition to learning the necessary technological skills needed to become an efficient general office employee, during the course of study, students will learn the set skills needed to interpret all aspects of the law, such as how to properly read and write legal documents,case laws and statutory laws. Students will also learn the importance of ethics in the legal world. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to assist attorneys in tackling law suits, closing real estate transactions, in the prosecution of crimes, and drafting of important documents that are needed in custody, separation, and divorce hearings. A total of 60 credit hours will be needed to earn this degree. Classes typically cost $458 per credit. Full-time students pursing this program usually take about two to three years to earn this degree.

Degree Benefits: Those who seek this degree usually do so because they are interested in law but do not want to become a full-on attorney. While in the past paralegals were needed to merely assist lawyers, within the most recent years, responsibilities have manifested to more serious duties. Most now take on tasks usually preformed by lawyers, such as presenting case studies, giving legal advice and setting legal fees. Career opportunities for those pursuing this field of study are expected to be very promising within the next few years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, paralegal and legal assistant job growth is projected to increase by 28 percent, creating 74,100 new jobs throughout the next decade, the Bureau states. While most opportunities will reside in private firms, since paralegals now perform similar tasks as attorneys at a cheaper rate, large corporations and other organizations are expected to hire paralegals to handle minor law litigations. Salary depends on a number of different factors such as education, training, experience, and employer, but paralegals on average earn $46,120, according to the Bureau’s most recent statistics.