Follow the step by step process on how to become a paralegal below:
California is a great state in which to become a paralegal. According to the California Employment Development Department, from 2008 to 2018 it is expected that jobs for paralegals and legal assistants in California will increase by more than 17 percent. The paralegal profession is regulated more in California than in other states, as the California Business and Professions Code 6540-46 outlines rules and regulations as well as standards of education that California paralegals must meet. If you wish to discover how to become a paralegal in California, keep reading.
Under California law, paralegals must fulfill one of the following educational requirements:
California Paralegal Online and Campus Schools
Featured Programs:
Purdue University Global - Online Bachelor's in Legal Support and Services - Paralegal Concentration
Regent University - Online Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
Arizona State University Online - Earn Your Master of Legal Studies in as little as one year.
Washington University School of Law, Top-20 law school - 1-Year Online Master of Legal Studies, No GRE/LSAT required.
Post University - Online Associate and Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
Rasmussen University - Online Paralegal Associate Degree and Post-Degree Certificate Programs
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law - Online Master of Legal Studies Program, Bachelor's Required
American University - Online Master of Legal Studies- No GRE/ LSAT Req'd, Five Concentrations Available, Bachelor's Required
If you choose to apply to an ABA-accredited paralegal program in California, you may select from among the following programs:
Most of the ABA-approved California paralegal education programs listed above contain a work experience component, or internship. If you are in need of further experience before moving on with your career plans to become a paralegal in California, you might want to contact one of the following groups that work with those in need on a free or reduced-cost basis. Agencies such as these served 214,458 Californians in 2012:
Certification is optional for California paralegals under state law. However, certification allows you as a paralegal to specialize in certain areas of the law and to seek further advancement in your career. The Commission for Advanced California Paralegal Specialization, Inc. recommends the following certifications to California paralegals who are considering certification:
You have completed the required education, gained some experience and may be certified. You are now ready to search for the perfect paralegal job in California. This job does not necessarily have to be within a California law firm, although many of the larger law groups in California do hire paralegals. Paralegals in California also work for businesses, research, non-profit organizations and more. Examples of employers of paralegals in California are:
Congratulations! You are now working as a paralegal in California! The next step you may wish to take to maintain your credentials is to complete continuing legal education (CLE), regardless of your certification status. The following associations of paralegals in California can help to put you in touch with relevant CLE activities, enhance your networking capabilities and increase your marketability as a California paralegal:
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