Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Legal Assistant

If you’re fascinated by the legal professional but aren’t sure you want to spend the time and money to become a lawyer (besides spending the rest of your life as the brunt of countless lawyer jokes) then you might want to consider getting a legal assistant associate degree.

Many people don’t quite understand what legal assistants do: they’re NOT secretaries for lawyers, first of all. Legal assistants (also called Paralegals) prepare legal documents, do research, communicate with clients, and assist attorneys on their cases. They don’t give legal advice or represent clients in court, but they do all the background work on cases and work closely with the attorney who is representing the client.

If you’re the type of person who loves digging through books and files doing research, and are comfortable spending hours in a library alone, then getting a legal assistant associate degree will be right up your alley. This is definitely a field for the person who loves reading and books!

It’s also important that you have excellent communication skills, both when talking and when writing. With a legal assistant associate degree, you’ll get ample experience in both of these areas. You’ll also be learning about our legal system, business math, legal research and composition, property law, organizational law, legal ethics, estate administration, and much more.

After you’ve completed your legal assistant associate degree you’ll know the ins and outs of the legal system, how to research effectively in the library and on the Internet, how to draft legal documents, and much more. As you can see, there is a lot to learn in this field!

The job market for legal assistants is doing very well, and according the to Bureau of Labor Statistics is expected to do even better in the years to come. As legal firms attempt to control costs, they’re outsourcing more and more work to paralegals, saving their attorneys for court time. What does this mean for you? It means that you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a job in this field in the years to come.

You can also make a comfortable living once you’ve gotten your legal assistant associate degree. Salaries range from $32,000 to $42,000, and can even go past $60,000, depending on your firm and region.

Although you can get a job as a paralegal with no formal education, you’ll definitely have a much better chance if you pursue a legal assistant associate degree. This will show potential employers that you know vital legal terms, the working of our justice system, and other important information that you can’t do your job without.

So, if you love research and writing, and are interested in working in the legal profession, then check out getting your legal assistant associate degree. You’ll be able to work in law, without getting joked about all the time like the lawyers do. What’s better than that?

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information