This tremendous increase is the result of the rapid growth in the number of paralegal jobs and the need for well-trained professionals. There is, however, a great deal of variety in the types of programs available and in the level and quality of instruction provided. As you consider a career as a paralegal, it is important for you to evaluate any prospective paralegal education program in light of your own background and goals. Today, in the vast majority of cases, this training is provided by formal paralegal educational programs offered by colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning. Programs offered by proprietary institutions, usually 3 to 18 months in length, awarding a certificate.
Some programs also require entrance examinations.
Some programs are offered for college credit, some for continuing education credit and some are non-credit. These programs are offered at community colleges and some four-year colleges and universities. The curriculum generally includes general education coursework such as English, mathematics, science, history, social sciences, and humanities in addition to 15 to 30 semester units of paralegal courses. A student usually majors or minors in paralegal studies taking 18 to 45 semester units in that area. The remainder of the coursework is comprised of general education and electives.