Law Degree & Career Guide

Paralegals work with attorneys to meet client needs and conduct case research. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegals and legal assistants earned a median salary of over $56,000 per year in 2021. However, paralegal compensation can vary significantly depending on a worker's experience, law firm, and industry. The top 10% of paralegals made more than $88,640 annually in 2021.

Additionally, completing a paralegal graduate certificate program can enhance career options and increase earning potential for workers in the field. Standard certificate classes cover topics such as paralegal business law, paralegal contract law, and paralegal tort law.

The legal world is home to many career options, degrees, and certificate programs. In addition to a juris doctor degree, which can lead to a career as a lawyer, other options include undergraduate and graduate legal studies programs, associate paralegal programs, and various certificate programs.

Standard bachelor's in legal studies programs typically take students about four years of full-time study to complete. Students interested in entering the workforce more quickly can complete an associate in paralegal studies in two years. Additionally, those pursuing a graduate certificate program can often satisfy requirements in a year or less.

Online programs provide working students an accessible — and often more affordable — academic option that allows learners to complete requirements entirely online. Various undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in legal studies are available through distance learning programs. In addition to their flexibility, online programs can help students save money on campus-based fees and travel costs.

Whether pursuing an associate in paralegal studies or a master's in legal studies, many online programs allow degree-seekers to complete coursework at their own pace through asynchronous coursework. This gives students the flexibility needed to juggle academic, professional, and personal obligations.

For individuals interested in pursuing a career in a legal environment, a law or legal studies degree can definitely be worth it. Whether someone wants to work as a paralegal or a lawyer, an undergraduate legal studies degree can help hone the skills needed to begin a career or prepare for law school.

However, a four-year degree is not entirely essential for someone wanting to enter the legal workforce. Students can complete an associate degree in paralegal studies in two years of full-time coursework. Additionally, certificate programs offer specialized knowledge that students can obtain relatively quickly.

The length of a law-related degree program depends on the type of degree. A bachelor's in legal studies allows full-time learners to earn their diploma in about four years. Degree-seekers tackling an associate degree in paralegal studies typically graduate after two years of full-time attendance.

However, many online programs offer generous transfer policies, allowing some students to complete requirements at a quicker pace. In contrast, part-time students and those juggling various professional and personal responsibilities may take longer to earn their legal studies degree.