Become a Paralegal
Support attorneys by conducting legal research, preparing documents, and assisting with cases across diverse areas of law.
What Is Paralegal?
The Paralegal program trains students to support attorneys by conducting legal research, preparing documents, and assisting with case management across multiple areas of law.
Paralegals work in law firms, corporate legal departments, courts, and government agencies, supporting attorneys with research, filings, client communication, and case organization.
What You'll Learn in Paralegal Training
Core Skills
- Legal research
- Legal writing and document drafting
- Case file management
- Civil and criminal procedure
- Contracts and tort fundamentals
- Evidence and discovery processes
Safety & Compliance
- Legal ethics
- Confidentiality requirements
- Court filing rules
- Professional conduct standards
Tools & Technology
- Case management software
- Legal research databases
- Document management systems
- Court e-filing platforms
Admissions Requirements for Paralegal Training
Most Paralegal programs have accessible entry requirements designed to help motivated students start their career.
Requirements vary by program and training provider. Career-Bond partners will confirm specific requirements during enrollment.
Certifications for Paralegal
This program prepares you for nationally recognized certifications that employers value.
NALA Certified Paralegal (CP)
National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
Exam Focus: Legal research, writing, ethics, and procedural knowledge
Certification requirements vary by state and employer. Career-Bond partners will help you understand the requirements in your area.
Paralegal Salary & Job Outlook
Growing demand driven by legal support needs across law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies
Career Outlook for Paralegal
Work Settings
Law firms, corporate legal teams, courts, government agencies, nonprofit legal organizations
Advancement Path
Advance into senior paralegal roles, specialize in practice areas, or transition into compliance, legal operations, or law school
What Is the Difference Between Paralegal and Office Administration?
TL;DR: Paralegal programs prepare students for substantive legal work supporting attorneys, while Office Administration programs focus on general administrative and organizational support across business environments.
Paralegal programs are designed for students who want to work directly within legal settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices. Training emphasizes legal research, drafting and reviewing legal documents, managing case files, organizing discovery, tracking deadlines, and supporting attorneys with case preparation. Paralegals must understand legal terminology, court procedures, and confidentiality requirements, and their work is closely tied to the legal process and outcomes of cases. Office Administration programs, by contrast, provide broad administrative skills that apply across many industries, including business, healthcare, education, and nonprofit organizations. Coursework typically focuses on office coordination, document management, scheduling, communication, customer service, and basic business software rather than legal procedures. While Office Administrators may support executives or departments, they do not perform legal research or case-specific work. Choose Paralegal if you want a legal-focused career supporting attorneys and working directly on legal matters. Choose Office Administration if you want versatile administrative skills that apply across many types of organizations without specializing in the legal field.
Substantive legal support work tied directly to cases and legal proceedings
General administrative and organizational support across business environments
Certificate to associate-level programs focused on legal practice skills
Certificate to associate-level programs focused on office and business administration
Legal research, document drafting, case file management, discovery support, deadline tracking
Scheduling, document management, communication, customer service, office coordination
Paralegal or legal studies certificates depending on program
Office administration or business support certificates depending on program
Law firms, corporate legal departments, government and court-related offices
Corporate offices, small businesses, nonprofits, education and healthcare organizations
Legal research databases, case management systems, document review tools
Office productivity software, scheduling systems, document management platforms
Paralegal, senior paralegal, or legal operations support roles
Office administrator, executive assistant, or administrative coordinator roles
Students who want a legal-focused career supporting attorneys and legal cases
Students seeking versatile administrative roles without specializing in the legal field
Paralegal
Choose Paralegal if you want a legal-focused career supporting attorneys and working directly on legal matters.
Office Administration
Choose Office Administration if you want versatile administrative skills that apply across many types of organizations without specializing in the legal field.
Benefits of Paralegal Training
Paralegal Student Reviews
"The program taught me real legal writing and research skills that helped me get hired quickly."
"Career-Bond matched me with a program that prepared me for corporate and contract law workflows."
"I enjoy helping attorneys and supporting clients — legal work feels meaningful and challenging."
Paralegal FAQs
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