What are some of the specializations within this degree program?

• Civil Rights: Lawyers in this field attend to individual liberties such as employment discrimination or education and often work for public interest law firms or nonprofit organizations.
• Corporate Law: Corporate attorneys often serve in advisory positions within large companies and provide counsel and representation. Subsets of corporate law include intellectual property law, liability, and contract law, among others.
• Family Law: Lawyers practicing family law commonly deal with domestic issues such as divorce, adoption, child welfare, or child custody.
• Criminal Law: Defense lawyers represent individuals accused of a crime, while prosecuting attorneys represent the public.
• Health Law: Lawyers specializing in health law typically represent physicians, hospitals, and other health organizations on issues ranging from public health policy to bioethics.
• Tax Law: Given the constant flux of federal, state, and local taxes, tax lawyers represent clients in the interpretation of those laws and assist individuals and corporations in minimizing their tax liability.
• Real Estate Law: Real estate lawyers generally represent clients in disputes over purchase and possession of property, sales, and landlord/tenant disagreements.
• Intellectual Property Law: Lawyers specializing in intellectual property are concerned with the rights to creations and insights. Subsets of this field include patent law, copyright law, and trademark law, among others.
• Immigration Law: Lawyers within this field attend to issues surrounding legal and illegal immigration and the legal rights and duties afforded to foreign nationals.

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What degree levels are available?

Lawyers:

• Juris Doctor (JD) Degree: 3 years to complete
• Master of Laws (LLM) Degree: 1 year to complete
• Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) Degree: 3 to 5 years to complete

Paralegals: 

• Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete

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What are the educational and certification requirements?

Those who seek to become a lawyer must complete a fairly extensive amount of education compared with that of paralegals. Lawyers must complete a bachelor's degree and take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) before attending an American Bar Association accredited law school to earn a JD degree. There is no required undergraduate course of pre-law study, but majors that emphasize critical thinking, effective communication, and analaysis are generally favored. Law school usually requires three years to complete, but some schools offer part-time or evening degree programs that may require additional time. Upon completion of the program, lawyers must pass their state-specific bar exam in order to practice law. Lawyers who desire to enter a field of law that is highly specialized, or to become a law professor, might endeavor to complete an LLM or SJD degree within their specialty. 

Paralegals are not required to possess any specific credentials or education in order to enter the profession. Many small firms will hire college graduates without any legal background and train them in the skills necessary to perform paralegal work. Other paralegals are promoted from their jobs as document clerks or legal assistants. Those who do wish to expand their range of paralegal job opportunities can do so in a number of ways. Most community colleges offer associate degrees in paralegal studies in addition to certificate programs. There are a small number of colleges and universities that offer bachelor's degrees in paralegal studies, as well.

In order to practice law as a lawyer, one must possess a JD degree and become licensed by passing the state-specific bar exam for the state in which they wish to practice. The specifics of the examination vary greatly by state, but all 50 state tests contain a written examination. Most states also include a separate written ethics test as well. Paralegals are not required to obtain certification or institutional education in order to practice. However, many individuals obtain such credentials in order to further their job prospects and earning power. Certification is offered through a number of different organizations, including the National Association of Legal Assistants, the American Alliance of Paralegals, and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. Obtaining a paralegal certification generally requires a combination of work experience and passage of a test, and may also necessitate continuing paralegal education throughout one's career.

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What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?

Family law courses focus on the legal processes that govern family issues. This includes marriage, divorce, child custody, and issues regarding family property. Students explore the evolving definition of family in terms of marriage, divorce, re-marriage, and step family systems. Criminal law classes focus on issues involving criminal offenses and the judicial processes related to penal systems. Students learn about the design and workings of our criminal justice system, including criminal investigation, trial, and penal and correctional processes. Torts courses investigate civil responses and outcomes for legal issues that involve wrongdoings. This includes both intentional and unintentional acts of harm or damage. Students explore the possible legal consequences and outcomes.

Property courses explore the legal terms and guidelines regarding land, objects, and money. Students learn about laws that govern personal holdings in real estate, finance, and or material objects Legal processes involves the study of guidelines and laws pertaining to court proceedings. This involves the study of preparing documents and analyzing legal concerns according to local, state, or federal laws. Students gain an understanding of the systems and requirements for legal proceedings.

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If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?

Most advanced degree programs in law and paralegal studies require practical training in the form of an internship or practicum. Students are typically required to complete an internship under the supervision of a practicing attorney or paralegal. Some programs may not require this coursework, but in general, practical experience in a law setting is required  for official certifications that allow graduates to practice or teach in law and paralegal studies.

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What are some other degrees that are related to this program?

Criminal justice degrees involve the study of laws and judicial outcomes in legal cases. These studies include the investigation, reporting, and trial of crimes as well as working with individuals who have been convicted of a crime. Police officers, probation workers, and corrections officers typically complete degrees in criminal justice. Education degrees focus on the research and delivery of academic instruction. Many PhD candidates accept employment in higher education settings where they teach undergraduate courses and conduct research in their area of specialization. Social work programs focus on the delivery of support services to people in need of economic and psychosocial assistance. Social work is often connected to law and paralegal work, especially as it related to criminal or family law. Students learn to work with families or individuals who are involved in a variety of public systems, such as penal systems, foster care, and public assistance.

Some business degree programs also have strong relationships to law and paralegal studies. Corporate studies encompass services and economic trends within the private business sector, and students can also specialize in topics related to public or nonprofit administration. Human services programs focus on the study of psychology, sociology, and public administration. These programs prepare students to work with the public in a variety of settings, including community or social services.

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