Mississippi Paralegal Schools

Mississippi paralegal schools have seen a greater influx of students as more people begin taking advantage of the job growth in the legal market. Paralegal job opportunities are increasing with great speed as more firms look to administrative professionals to fulfill tasks normally left to attorneys.

Profiles of Well Known Schools

Mississippi University for Women: The College of Business and Legal Studies at the Mississippi University for Women has both a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies. Both courses of study approved by the American Bar Association and consist of 124 credit hours. All students are required to complete lower level major courses such as Introduction to the Legal Profession, Legal Bibliography and Research (I and II), Law Office Tech and Management, and the Legal Environment of Business. The Practical Legal Lab is similar to an internship, in which students are assigned to a professional setting based on their specialization.

University of Southern Mississippi: The University of Southern Mississippi’s Department of Political Science, International Development and International Affairs has an American Bar Association approved Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies. This 124 hour degree has 36 of its credits dedicated to major courses and 12 dedicated to a single foreign language. Internships in Paralegal Studies is an elective, but many students decide to complete it over the summer months. Paralegal studies juniors have the opportunity to receive financial assistance is they apply for the Frank D. Montague, Jr. Paralegal Studies Endowment.

How to Become a Paralegal in Mississippi

Most people begin their careers as paralegals with a careful evaluation of available schools and training programs. The level of necessary training is determined by the employer in the field of legal administration, and can range anywhere from on-the-job training to a four-year degree, or more.

There is a wide array of educational choices available to those interested in becoming paralegals in Mississippi. Prospective students may decide to attend on-campus classes or take one of many online paralegal courses. While employers may set the requirements, a person must consider cost, access and the quality of education when making their decisions.

Paralegal Schools in Mississippi

There are two locations where prospective paralegals can find on-campus instruction that is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA establishes regulations in the U.S. legal profession that educators may choose to observe.

ABA-approved paralegal degree programs in Mississippi are located at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus.

If attending campus classes is inconvenient or otherwise unpractical, people may choose an online alternative while studying in Mississippi. Online paralegal courses can be found at Penn Foster College, Post University and The George Washington University.

Top Law Firms for Paralegal Graduates in Mississippi

Wise Carter Child & Caraway P.A. is a constantly growing law firm that seeks to understand its clients’ business goals in order to provide exceptional representation. Many clients of Wise Carter are high profile, including Ace USA, Inc., G.E. Med Pro, the Coca-Cola Company, Safeco Insurance Company, and other notable names. Wise Carter encourages all of its staff to engage in pro bono work, both legal and otherwise; the firm regularly partners with clients to work with Habitat for Humanity and similar charitable services. Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes PLLC has over one hundred years of history, and is now one of the largest law firms in Mississippi as well as one of the most respected. Its client list comprises Fortune 500 companies and smaller companies, all of which benefit from Brunini Grantham’s focus on commercial, litigation, and regulatory law. Brunini Grantham offers some of the highest compensation in the region, and welcomes applicants to its professional staff. Hand Arendall LLC works in civil practice, focusing on maximizing efficiency and results for its clients. From its offices in Jackson and elsewhere Hand Arendall works with clients based in Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle in a variety of practice areas where paralegal help is crucial.

Mississippi Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook

Mississippi has a wide range of paralegal needs, from those living in rural areas who seek one-on-one legal representation, to urban clients who rely on law firms. For this reason average salaries fluctuate between $30,000 and $50,000.

Prospective paralegal students who choose either online or on-campus courses will have a greater chance of finding placement in Mississippi’s growing legal market.

Online and Mississippi Paralegal Schools

Page Edited by Charles Sipe.