Maryland Paralegal Schools

In the current United States economy, many people are looking to upgrade their marketable skills, and exploring paralegal schools in Maryland is one way to do that. In fact, there are several campus-based programs in the state that provide a variety of paralegal degree programs that will allow you to begin a career as a paralegal.

Paralegal Schools in Maryland

The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved several campus-based paralegal programs in the state of Maryland. One of these is Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, which offers an associate’s degree and a post-baccalaureate certificate. The College of Southern Maryland in LaPlata offers an associate’s degree as well. The Community College of Baltimore County and Harford Community College in Bel Air offer an associate’s degree, a post-baccalaureate or post-associate’s certificate in paralegal studies. Stevenson University in Owings Mills is the only ABA-approved bachelor’s degree in paralegal; this university also has an associate’s degree program.

Online paralegal schools are an alternative to campus-based programs for individuals who do not live near a campus or prefer the scheduling flexibility of online programs. Some examples of online degrees offered are the A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies at Kaplan University, the Associate of Science – Paralegal Studies at Virginia College, and a Paralegal Certificate at Boston University.

Maryland Paralegal Education Requirements

Although the state of Maryland does not have any special educational requirements for paralegals, it is highly recommended that potential paralegals have some sort of professional preparation for this job. Due in particular to its proximity to Washington, D.C., there may be many applicants who are searching for jobs in law offices. Therefore, any formal education in paralegal studies that you have will tilt the scales in your favor in the eyes of potential employers.

The Maryland Association of Paralegals is the state organization for paralegals and legal assistants. If you would like to learn more about being a paralegal in Maryland, this is an excellent source for information.

Maryland Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook

The average annual salary for paralegals in Maryland is $54,000, which is slightly above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects significant growth in the paralegal field over the next decade. There are several reasons for this, including that many businesses are attempting to cut costs by hiring paralegals to do much of the preliminary or foundational legal work (such as legal research and writing, meeting with clients, and initial drafts of legal documents), before bringing in an attorney to finalize the work, who may ultimately try the case in court.

Online and Maryland Paralegal Schools