Online Accelerated Paralegal Programs: How They Work and Where to Find Them

Interested in pursuing a legal career without the stress of becoming a lawyer? Consider a paralegal program. With an online paralegal program, you'll gain a working knowledge of legal terminology while honing the skills required to work in courtrooms and law offices.

With an accelerated paralegal program, you can earn a degree on your own schedule — and fast.

What Is an Online Accelerated Paralegal Program?

An online accelerated paralegal program prepares you to work as a paralegal in less time than a traditional two- or four-year program. The best paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

How long an accelerated paralegal program takes depends on whether you're pursuing a certificate, a bachelor's degree, or an associate degree.

Paralegal certificate programs can take just 12 months — even less time.

In contrast, an accelerated bachelor's degree packs the traditional 120 credits of a four-year program into a shorter time frame through a heavier course load and/or summer courses. This degree could take three years or less, depending on your schedule and how many classes you take at once.

The same goes for an accelerated paralegal associate degree. In this program, you can earn your degree in fewer than two years through a combination of more intensive course loads and summer coursework.

Accelerated paralegal programs usually cost around the same as regular programs, though you can save on costs like room and board by spending less time enrolled and opting for online classes.

Some programs charge per semester regardless of how many credits you take, allowing you to save on tuition costs.

Types of Accelerated Paralegal Programs

You can launch your paralegal career quickly with an accelerated degree. Which type of accelerated paralegal program you should choose ultimately depends on your career goals, budget, and personal commitments.

Accelerated Paralegal Associate Degree

Most paralegals have associate degrees.

A typical associate degree program takes two years to complete. The fastest accelerated associate degrees can be earned in as few as 1-1.5 years. Most online associate degrees in paralegal studies require students to complete around 60 credits.

Coursework revolves around the legal system, contracts, legal research, and ethics. You'll engage in discussions on topics like ethics and case studies.

Many programs also require an internship to prepare you for work as a paralegal and enhance your resume.

Accelerated Paralegal Bachelor's Degree

Though less common than certificates and associate degrees, paralegal bachelor's programs can help you secure a higher-paying job and advance more quickly in your career.

While a typical bachelor's degree takes around four years to complete, you can earn an accelerated paralegal bachelor's degree in three years or less.

Online degrees offer even more flexibility and potential cost savings.

Coursework includes legal theory and ethics, English for professionals, legal writing, briefing analysis, contracts, law office administration, criminal law, and property law.

How to Find Online Accelerated Paralegal Programs

The easiest way to find online accelerated paralegal programs is through the ABA website. Here, you can find a directory of ABA-approved paralegal programs at all degree levels.

When searching for online accelerated paralegal programs, be sure to check whether the college is for-profit or nonprofit. Nonprofit colleges generally boast higher graduation rates, higher graduate salaries, and lower student loan default rates, making them a better option.

Below is a table with some examples of online accelerated paralegal programs — from certificates to bachelor's degrees — that you might consider. All schools are nonprofit.

Is an Accelerated Paralegal Program Worth It?

Whether an accelerated paralegal program is worth it depends on your career goals, budget, and schedule.

An accelerated program tends to require more time in the short term as you'll need to complete the same requirements in a more condensed time frame.

If you're motivated to launch your career as a paralegal quickly and can put in the additional study time, an accelerated paralegal program could be a smart choice for you.