Reviewed by: Joseph Spada, Paralegal Studies Program Director
Whether you’re a recent graduate, a legal assistant looking to formalize your role, or a career changer drawn to legal work, you can move into the paralegal field from a variety of entry points. However, your experience and goals can make it complicated to determine how to land your first paralegal job.
This guide outlines the key steps in how to become a paralegal, including choosing an education pathway, so you can make informed decisions at each stage.
What Is a Paralegal?
A paralegal is a legal professional that performs substantive work under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Paralegals are not attorneys, so they can’t provide legal advice or represent clients in court.
Paralegals are the operational backbone of legal teams, helping ensure an organized legal process that prioritizes accuracy and efficiency. The role relies on legal knowledge and precision, without requiring a law degree.
Paralegal Job Duties
Paralegals are beneficial in every field of law. From conducting interviews for child custody disputes to researching the history of a piece of intellectual property, their support is vital to attorneys and clients in any area.
Responsibilities can vary by setting. Litigation paralegals may focus on discovery and filings, corporate paralegals on contracts and compliance, and real estate paralegals on closings and title documentation.
While duties vary by practice area and employer, precision and attention to detail are critical in all settings. Common responsibilities include:
- Drafting legal documents
- Conducting legal research
- Managing databases, document indexes, and case files
- Preparing discovery materials for clients and/or attorneys
- Assembling exhibits for hearings or trials
- Tracking deadlines
What Skills Do Paralegals Need?
Successful paralegals combine legal knowledge with strong critical thinking and professional skills. Core skills include:
- Legal writing
- Legal research
- Attention to detail
- Procedural expertise and the ability to apply it
- Organization
- Time management
- Contemporary technology usage
- Ethical judgment
- Critical and analytical thinking
Want to learn more about paralegal education opportunities? Request information about the BU online Paralegal Studies Program.
Ready to advance your skills and your paralegal career? Register for the BU online Paralegal Studies Program.
4 Steps To Become a Paralegal
Most people become paralegals by following the same general pathway. However, specific educational and experiential choices will vary from person to person.
- Step 1 (Optional): Choose an education pathway based on your current education level, budget, and responsibilities.
- Step 2: Complete paralegal training and coursework focused on core legal skills and relevant practice areas.
- Step 3: Gain practical experience through internships, externships, volunteer work, or entry-level legal roles.
- Step 4: Enter the paralegal workforce or advance your career by aiming for roles aligned with your skills.
Optional Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s or Associate Degree
Postsecondary education is not required to become a paralegal, especially if you have a few years of professional experience. However, a bachelor’s or associate degree can improve employment opportunities and increase your future earning potential.
A bachelor’s or associate degree provides a strong academic foundation, particularly in writing and research. If earning a degree is the right choice for you, some universities now offer paralegal studies bachelor’s programs.
Step 2: Complete Paralegal Training and Coursework
The first step to becoming a paralegal is acquiring the base knowledge needed to assist attorneys in their practice. A paralegal training program supplies the job-relevant legal skills employers value most. The right choice for you depends on a number of factors, but you’ll want to choose one that teaches the core competencies that paralegals need in their daily work.
Paralegal Certificate Program
Certificate programs are a great option for career changers and degree holders because they focus directly on paralegal skills without the time or financial commitment of a degree. Many certificates can be completed in a few weeks or months in an online format.
Boston University’s online Paralegal Studies Program, for example, is taught by practicing legal professionals. The program combines foundational legal instruction with practical skill development. Students can also pursue specialized modules in areas such as criminal law, elder law, and career development.
How To Choose the Right Paralegal Program
When comparing programs you should generally focus on factors that will make you more competitive in the job market. Key criteria to evaluate include:
- Faculty experience and student backgrounds: Interacting with active legal practitioners and students working in law offices can help bridge theory and practice.
- Networking opportunities: Programs with diverse peers and faculty provide you with connections that can lead to future opportunities.
- Career support and experiential learning: Not all programs can connect you to job opportunities or provide résumé guidance, but students can seek out options that offer this.
You should also consider factors based on your current situation, such as the tuition cost of a program and if it offers a flexible learning format.
Are There Licensure Requirements for Paralegals?
Most states don’t license paralegals, and job requirements vary by employer, practice area, and location. California is a notable exception, as it restricts use of the “paralegal” title to individuals who meet specific education or experience criteria. There are three pathways to become qualified as a paralegal in California, each requiring various types of education and/or experience.
Elsewhere, employer expectations carry more weight than any official or unofficial license. A certificate can help you meet these employer expectations, as certificate graduates demonstrate knowledge and demonstrated commitment to the field.
Specialized Practice Areas and Skills to Consider
Paralegal work varies widely across practice areas, and each specialization requires different skills. You don’t need to choose a specialization immediately, but early direction can help guide coursework and internships.
| Practice Area | Key Skills |
|---|---|
| Litigation and criminal law | Discovery, filings, deadlines, and trial preparation |
| Corporate and business law | Contracts, entity maintenance, governance, and compliance support |
| Family law | Interviewing, coordination across complex relationships, adaptable communication |
| Real estate law | Closings, title documentation, and coordination across parties |
| Probate and estate planning | Wills, trusts, and probate documentation |
| Immigration law | USCIS filings and document-heavy casework |
| Intellectual property law | Trademark and patent filings |
Step 3: Gain Practical Experience
Practical experience often makes the difference between earning a credential and being job-ready. It also helps you determine which legal environments align with your interests. Early-career opportunities can include legal assistant or legal aid roles. Paid internships or internships through a degree program are also great opportunities, but these can be difficult to come by.
Translating Coursework into Job-Ready Skills
Résumés are more effective when they describe competencies rather than course titles. Instead of listing the courses you took, focus on what you produced, framed in a way that reflects the paralegal environment.
You should also emphasize prior experience to fit the job you’re applying for. Project management, compliance work, technical writing, and client-facing roles all translate well to a paralegal career.
Step 4: Enter the Paralegal Workforce or Advance Your Career
Now that you’ve completed your education, training, and gained some experience, you’re ready to dive into the paralegal field. At this stage, it’s mostly about applying to and interviewing for positions at law offices and organizations.
Boosting Your Paralegal Career Prospects
Much of hiring these days is relationship-driven, particularly at smaller firms and in specialized practice areas. Joining professional organizations, attending bar association events that welcome non-attorney members, and requesting informational interviews with practicing paralegals can all help you in your search.
As you build the skills needed for a paralegal career, finding internships can give you an advantage. They’re a great way to get professional experience while also receiving customized guidance on areas to improve.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Paralegal?
Timelines vary by your background. Here are a few common timelines:
| Background | Steps to Take | Total Time to Become a Paralegal* (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| No post-secondary education, interested in it | Earn a bachelor’s degree, complete a paralegal training program | 4 years and 4 months |
| No post-secondary education, not interested in it | Complete a paralegal training program | 4 months |
| Bachelor’s degree or associate degree holder | Complete a paralegal training program | 4 months |
| Prior legal experience (such as a legal assistant) or prior professional experience (especially in legal‑adjacent fields like compliance) | Complete a paralegal training program | 4 months |
*Total time is estimated and may vary based on prior professional experience. Paralegal training timelines are based on BU’s Paralegal Studies Program, which takes 14 weeks.
Paralegal Salary and Job Market
How Much Do Paralegals Make?
Paralegals earn a livable wage that is enhanced through comprehensive benefits and meaningful work that makes a difference. Entry-level paralegals generally earn around $62,391-$78,588, while paralegals with more experience earn more:
- 2-5 years: $74,207-$92,548
- 5-10 years: $86,162-$105,378
- 15+ years: $104,949-$127,893
Paralegal managers with 15+ years of experience enjoy very high salary premiums as well, with the top 25% of earners making a median annual salary of $156,355.
Salary data from salary.com.
What Is the Job Outlook for Paralegals?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to remain consistent through 2034, with the field generating nearly 40,000 openings per year.
Paralegal opportunities will remain consistent for candidates who have strong training, experience, and technical proficiency. Experience and ongoing professional development remains a key driver of advancement. Economic cycles can affect hiring patterns, making flexibility and transferable skills important.
Frequently Asked Questions
In California, taking an ABA-approved program is just one of three pathways to becoming a paralegal. Alternatively, aspiring paralegals can earn a non-ABA-approved certificate or degree and gain experience, or they can follow an experience-based pathway.
Take the Next Step in Your Law Career with Boston University Online Paralegal Studies Certificate Program
Boston University’s flexible online Paralegal Studies Certificate Program gives students living anywhere access to expert hands-on training from a university renowned for academic excellence. Whether students have prior legal experience or are transitioning into the field, the program’s instructors and curriculum provide learners with distinct benefits and the professional know-how that today’s employers seek.
Start your registration for the Paralegal Studies Certificate and advance your paralegal career today!
Value Colleges ranks our program as one of the Top 5 online paralegal certificate programs in the United States for its focus on professional development and academic excellence.
Request a Brochure
To learn more about the online Paralegal Studies Program, contact an Enrollment Advisor at (857) 971-4728 or fill out the form below to download a free brochure.
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