Information on Master’s Degree Programs in Paralegal Studies
Majors Overview November 1, 2015This article talks about master’s degree programs in paralegal studies and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, and continuing education choices.
Master’s Programs in Paralegal Studies
Aspiring paralegals can complete a master’s degree program in paralegal studies to learn about various types of law, including corporate, contract, government law, and intellectual property. Students get the opportunity of developing the advanced legal skills that corporations, law firms, and government agencies sometimes require.
The program is devised to accommodate current professionals in the field seeking to enhance career advancement opportunities as well as bachelor’s degree graduates who seek continuing education. Some programs offer concentrations in government law, international law, and intellectual property law. Program graduates can seek various career choices including paralegal specialist, legal assistant, legal secretary, and attorney advisor. Experienced graduates are allowed to, by some national associations, take voluntary certification exams.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school meeting a GPA standard of 3.0. They must also submit a written essay, several letters of recommendation, a current resume, and an official transcript from the institution in which they earned their bachelor’s degree. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a requirement for applicants whose first language is other than English.
Coursework
Coursework is devised to provide a solid basis for the legal knowledge necessary for performing legal tasks, such as providing support attorneys in trial preparation and court. Coursework combines the history of law and subject areas such as ethics, theoretical analysis, technological skills, and communication. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Ethics
•Contracts
•Litigation
•Legal writing
•Legal research
•Jurisprudence
•Government law
•International law and litigation
•Intellectual property law
•Corporate law
Career Choices
Program graduates can seek employment in various legal fields. They can choose from possible job positions such as:
•Litigation paralegal
•Paralegal specialist
•Attorney Advisor
•Legal Secretary
•Legal Assistant
•Paralegal
•Probate Paralegal
•Government paralegal
•Real estate paralegal
•Corporate Paralegal
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates can seek voluntary certification from the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, the National Association of Legal Assistants, or the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. Some graduates may choose to continue their education by enrolling in a pre-law or criminal justice program before they go on to enroll in law school.
