Nevada Paralegal Schools

Paralegals and legal assistants in Nevada are in a field with strong prospects for growth and good salary expectations and Nevada paralegal schools can provide the skills and training to earn a paralegal degree and break into the legal field in a few years, not seven like that required to become an attorney. Paralegals don’t practice law directly, instead assisting with document research and preparation, contracts and policy review and other tasks in law firms and government agencies.

Coursework of Nevada Paralegal Schools

Nevada paralegal aspirants focus on many of the same legal topics as attorneys, with coursework in torts and contracts like a first year JD student. Other classes provide a theoretical and practical understanding of criminal and civil legal procedures as well as case analysis. Electives allow Nevada paralegal students to focus on specific legal specialties such as elder law or family law, and many also include business administration coursework.

Paralegal Schools in Nevada

There are several brick-and-mortar schools in Nevada that offer paralegal degrees and certificate programs, principally community colleges. However, Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno is the only Nevada paralegal school with a national accreditation by the American Bar Association. Students looking for additional options may want to research online paralegal schools such as Herzing University and South University. Both offer two-year associates degree programs and four-year bachelor’s degree options in paralegal studies.

Nevada Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook

Paralegals and legal assistants are members of one of the fastest growing fields in the state, and jobs are expected to increase by 28 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average paralegal in Nevada makes over $50,000 a year, and recent graduates can start around $40,000, according to recent wage surveys. Opportunities for advancement come from gaining more experience and taking on additional research and writing roles within firms or businesses.

Online and Nevada Paralegal Schools