Montana Paralegal Schools

More people are taking advantage of courses offered in Montana paralegal schools as jobs in legal administration grow throughout the state. Prospective students have taken note of the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting as much as 28% growth in the career field.

How to Become a Paralegal in Montana

Montana is a unique legal market and students currently living in the state or planning to move there should research what the needs of their potential employers may be. Since the area of legal administration is not regulated like that of attorneys, employers are free to set their own employee requirements.

A career as a paralegal most often begins with some level of study, although there are many programs available to fit a wide a range of student needs. Montana students have a choice of whether they will participate in a certificate or paralegal degree program, and whether they will do it in a physical classroom or online.

Paralegal Schools in Montana

Montana offers several paralegal programs in the state, two of which are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), an organization that monitors the conduct and practices of attorneys in the United States.

These ABA-approved programs are located at the University of Great Falls in Great Falls, and the University of Montana in Missoula. The Missoula campus offers a two-year associate’s degree, while the University of Great Falls has a four-year bachelor’s degree program.

For those students who cannot attend classes in these locations, online courses are available as an alternative. Online degree programs include the paralegal certificate program at Boston University and the Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies at Virginia College.

Montana Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook

Montana is a decidedly rural state, but as paralegals are in high demand this does not negatively impact salary averages. In areas with larger populations like Great Falls, the salary average is about $56,000. In smaller areas like Poplar, the average drops somewhat to about $48,000.

Students should consider their location in the state before deciding on a course of study whether it is in a classroom or online, as requirements likely differ among Montana employers in different regions.

Online and Montana Paralegal Schools