PARALEGAL STUDIES

THAT POWER YOUR CAREER

Career Guide
The Need for Paralegals Your journey begins with
Paralegals are valued members of the legal community who enjoy a wide spectrum of the online Paralegal Studies
employment opportunities. Most paralegals work at law firms, but legal departments Program
across industries rely on the expertise of these skilled professionals for a broad array of
The online Paralegal Studies Program from
assignments. Paralegals find employment opportunities at corporations, title companies, Boston University gives students with
hospitals, financial institutions, government agencies, and other organizations. a range of professional and educational
backgrounds the skills they need to enter the
profession and excel in their career. Whether
students have prior legal experience or are
transitioning into the field, the program’s
instructors and curriculum provide learners
A Dynamic Profession Specialize in an Industry that Paths to Becoming a Paralegal with the professional know-how that today’s

The paralegal profession is evolving to keep pace with

Interests You The demand for skilled paralegals is strong. As long as there are
employers seek. This guide explores just
some of the possibilities you’ll discover in
changes in the legal field. Competition among law practices legal cases, there will be a need for paralegal expertise. Paralegal your paralegal career path.
Many paralegals begin their careers at law firms. Smaller firms
is increasing, and firms must provide cost-effective client was ranked one of the “Best Social Services Jobs” in 2018.2
often use paralegals to perform wide-ranging tasks; larger
service to compete in this market. To economize their To be competitive in today’s job market, particularly in larger
practices assign paralegals to work on a particular part of a case
operations, legal teams are hiring more paralegals to metropolitan areas, it’s beneficial for paralegals to hold a college
or in a specific area of the law. Starting your career as a general
perform duties that were once assigned to junior attorneys. degree. Paralegals have bachelor’s degrees in a range of majors from English and psychology to history and legal studies.
practice paralegal can give you a better understanding of the field
Employment of paralegals is expected to increase 15%
and help you make an informed choice about specialization in the
between 2016 and 2026, adding approximately 41,800 new The paralegal profession has many points of entry, however, and doesn’t require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Recent
future.
paralegal jobs.1 college graduates, mid-career changers, and individuals re-entering the work force can all find success. Some individuals enter the
profession through on-the-job training under a supervising attorney. The vast majority of employers require successful completion
There are numerous paralegal specialties, many of which exist
The profession also continually adopts new technology to of a paralegal education program even from job candidates who hold an undergraduate degree or have professional experience in
outside of law firms. Paralegals that focus on real estate law may
gain efficiencies, giving paralegals increasing opportunities legal services.
work at a title company or real estate firm. The law affects every
to develop and use new technical skills on the job. With so
many exciting developments in the field, now is an excellent
industry and business, and there are abundant opportunities
to find a legal career that intersects with your interests. Nurses
Paralegal Salaries in Boston, MA by Title and Years of Experience
time to begin a career as a paralegal. (with bachelor’s degree)
making a career change, for example, might leverage their
healthcare experience as a nurse paralegal.
$- $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000 $140,000 $160,000

$114,485
Paralegals Enjoy Myriad Job Paralegal Manager (15+ Yrs) $99,405 $134,290

Opportunities and Responsibilities $96,544

Paralegal (15+ Yrs) $85,523 $108,154
Paralegals are responsible for increasingly substantive legal
work. Like attorneys, paralegals bill clients and generate $85,632
income for their employer, which differentiates their work Paralegal Supervisor (5-10 Yrs) $76,273 $112,973

from other legal support staff.

$85,608
Paralegal (5-10 Yrs) $76,599 $95,268
A day in the life of a paralegal includes researching
cases, taking notes during client interviews, drafting legal
$71,925
documents such as subpoenas, and being present at trials
Paralegal (2-5 Yrs) $63,745 $81,378
with attorneys. The duties of a paralegal and attorney
may overlap but, by law, there are some limitations to
$61,855
a paralegal’s responsibilities. They are not, for instance, Paralegal (Entry-Level) $54,699 $69,843
permitted to give legal advice or represent clients in court.

 25th  Median  75th

Source: Salary.com: Salary Wizard, https://swz.salary.com; paralegal Salary Reports, Varying Levels, Boston MA; Accessed Sept 2018
Career Trajectories for Paralegals
Paralegals are well-compensated, and their earnings increase as they gain experience. The size and location of the office or
Average Paralegal Salary by State
organization is one of many factors that can affect a paralegal’s salary.

The paralegal career path has significant long-term growth potential. Paralegals with several years of experience will have
WA: $57,230
more responsibilities and work more autonomously—but still under an attorney’s supervision. Paralegals who start out working
at a small law firm may move to a larger firm where they’ll have the opportunity to work on different types of cases. These
professionals can also choose to focus on one legal concentration or become a subject matter expert in a particular industry. NY: $57,920

MA: $52,790
Managing other paralegals is another option for paralegals seeking career advancement. Supervising paralegals with seven or more IL: $51,120
years of experience at large law firms are projected to earn as much as $112,973 in 2018, indicating that a long-term career as a PA: $53,390

paralegal can be both personally and financially rewarding. OH: $48,870

DC: $77,230
CA: $59,230
Paralegals also may choose to go on to law school and careers as lawyers.

GA: $53,830

Paralegal Level of Education

TX: $53,190

30% 44%
Bachelor’s degree
FL: $50,300

14% Associate’s degree

12% Other
Some college, no degree

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates,
Oct 2018: California, Massachusetts, Ohio, Florida, Washington, Washington DC, New York, Georgia, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania

Source: O*Net Online, Summary Report for Paralegals and Legal Assistants Skills for an Emerging Trend: E-Discovery
The changing scope of a paralegal’s responsibilities makes it a versatile and challenging career. Strong technology skills
are increasingly important for assisting attorneys with trial and hearing preparation.

Though many paralegals have administrative experience or have worked in law offices as support staff, this career
attracts individuals with a range of professional experience. No matter what your background is, however, the ability
to learn new technology is a crucial skill for paralegals. As more legal teams rely on technology for legal research,
paralegals are becoming more tech-savvy. “Paralegals have new career opportunities in e-discovery, information
management and technology-based litigation support,” says Tracey L. Young, a PACE registered paralegal and past
president of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.5 E-discovery is a growing trend in the legal field that
offers paralegals new opportunities for professional development.

E-discovery is short for electronic discovery: the process of researching and compiling electronically stored information
(ESI) for a case. As more case information is sourced and stored electronically, e-discovery is revolutionizing legal
research. Working with electronic information requires different data management skills than those used to manage
traditional documents. Electronic information contains metadata—like the author name or last modified date—that can
provide valuable details for legal proceedings.

Many organizations that once relied on outside counsel for e-discovery services are transitioning this responsibility to
their in-house legal teams, creating a new niche for paralegals. As e-discovery technology is embraced by more law
firms and organizations, paralegals who are familiar with e-discovery will continue to be in demand.
Boston University: Preparing Today’s Paralegals
We know that students are balancing multiple obligations, so we’ve created a flexible program that allows students to
earn their certificate in 14 weeks, while continuing to work. Our online Paralegal Studies Program instructors engage
with students and are committed to their success. They are experienced educators and, as practicing attorneys and
paralegals, provide students with real-world insights and preparation.

A paralegal certificate is a valuable credential and earning one demonstrates a familiarity with the real-world demands
of the profession. Students in Boston University’s online Paralegal Studies Program gain the practical skills and
professional confidence needed to succeed. BU has awarded paralegal certificates for more than 40 years and earned a
reputation for excellence among national and international employers.

What You’ll Learn in BU’s Paralegal Studies Program

Our online program is divided into seven required modules that align with the Visit our website to view course description videos, presented by the distinguished legal
professionals who teach these modules.
real-world duties of a working paralegal and introduce students to potential areas http://paralegalonline.bu.edu/certificate-overview/curriculum/
of specialization.

Legal Research Legal Technologies Probate and Family Law Legal Writing and Reasoning
Every legal case requires preparation and Proficiency with computers and technology Probate, estate planning, and family law Paralegals draft a large quantity of quality
research. Paralegals perform fact-checking is crucial for paralegals. BU’s technology are specialties that require paralegals to writing, including case briefs and legal
and conduct library searches, as well as module covers cybersecurity best practice work on sensitive, deadline-driven cases. memos. They also write summaries of client
online searches using services such as as well as software including Microsoft Ex- Responsibilities for paralegals in this area often and attorney meetings. A high-level
Westlaw and LexisNexis using their own cel; CaseMap, a leading case management include communicating with clients, arranging understanding of the laws relevant to each case
computer. program; and PACER, an online filing service meetings, conducting discovery, and organizing and how the legal system works is essential to
for legal pleadings in the federal court documents. strong legal writing.
system.

Real Estate Law Litigation Business Law

Real estate law encompasses property Litigation paralegals assist attorneys during Paralegals that focus on business law are often
ownership and property transfers. Paralegals the litigation process. To help attorneys during called corporate paralegals. Corporate
who work on real estate cases prepare the discovery process and the trial, paralegals paralegals must have basic legal understanding
contracts and review title reports. A career help organize evidence, prepare witnesses, and of corporations, limited liability companies, and
path in this specialization requires excellent research prospective jurors. partnerships to assist attorneys with corporate
communication skills to effectively work on the transactions.
attorney’s behalf with other lawyers, buyers,
sellers, and lenders.
 Boston University Metropolitan College
Center for Professional Education

Features of the paralegalonline.bu.edu

(857) 971-4728
BU Paralegal Program

• Comprehensive, seven-module online curriculum that covers critical topics like legal
research and technology

• Curriculum covers general concepts and prepares students for developing expertise in
their state and local laws

• Optional live classroom sessions (recorded for later viewing) that facilitate real-time
interaction among students and the instructor

• Access to WestlawNext, a legal research database used by many legal teams across the
country, for the modules that require it (included in the cost of tuition)

• No required books or technology fees

• Student services including resume writing guidance from instructors and tips for
using LinkedIn as a networking tool

• Access to virtual office hours with each module. No appointment is needed.

BU’s online learning format includes an engaging blend of videos, discussion boards, and live classroom experiences. In
addition to earning a certificate from a world-class university that provides you with a competitive edge in the paralegal
field, you’ll expand your professional network by making meaningful connections with your mentors and peers.

Register today for the online Paralegal Studies Program at

paralegalonline.bu.edu
You can contact an enrollment specialist by email at [email protected] or 1
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, available on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm
by phone at (857) 971-4728. 2
Source: Best Social Services Jobs, U.S. News & World Report, available on the Internet at https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-social-services-jobs