Maine Paralegal Schools

If you are considering becoming a paralegal or legal assistant, and you are looking for Maine paralegal schools, your campus-based options are limited. In fact, there are no American Bar Association (ABA) approved campus-based paralegal programs in the state of Maine.

Paralegal Schools in Maine

An alternative to the few on-campus paralegal schools in Maine is to acquire a certificate or paralegal degree through an online university such as Kaplan University, Virginia College, Westwood College, Post University, Keiser University, or Hodges University. Most of these have either national or regional (or both) accredited programs in paralegal studies. Virginia College offers an online Bachelor of Science – Paralegal Studies and Boston University offers an online Paralegal Certificate.

Maine Paralegal Education Requirements

The state of Maine does not have any specific educational requirements for paralegals. However, you will be much more marketable and attractive to potential employers if you have obtained certification through one of the national paralegal associations. This can be accomplished by taking the National Federation of Paralegal Associations’ Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam or the National Association of Legal Assistants’ Certified Legal Assistant Exam. In addition to a passing score on one of these exams, certifications through these associations usually also requires some education and work experience as well. It is a good idea to contact one of these organizations for specific information on the requirements.

Maine Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook

The average annual salary for paralegals in Maine is about $44,000, which is slightly under the national average. The job outlook is very positive, as growth is projected to be well over 20% in the years from 2008-2018. There are several reasons for this. One reason is that as the population ages, there is a greater need for a variety of legal services for them (wills, estates, trusts, disability, and property matters, for example).

Online and Maine Paralegal Schools