Virginia Paralegal Schools

A wealth of federal and state government agencies require the services of paralegals to ensure the legality of contracts and policies. Virginia paralegal schools offer specialized training for aspirants to earn a paralegal degree and enter positions at these agencies, and Virginia law firms and medium and large firms also have openings in this field, one of the fastest growing in the United States until 2018.

How to Become a Paralegal in Virginia

Virginia paralegal aspirants will want to focus on legal research and developing strong writing skills. Many two year associate’s degree programs begin with introductory legal ethics and structure courses, as well as basic English composition classes. From there, courses focus on criminal and civil litigation, using legal databases and computer systems to find applicable case law, before moving on to more specific aspects of the legal system. Like first-year law students, paralegal aspirants in Virginia also learn about contracts and tort law, as well as family law.

Paralegal Schools in Virginia

There are two American Bar Association certified Virginia paralegal programs: J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond that offers two-year associates degree programs focusing on either litigation or general practice, and Marymount University that offers four-year bachelor’s degree programs and post-baccalaureate certificates. Marymount University also offers post-grad coursework and continuing education programs. Northern Virginia Community College is also an option in Alexandria, but online options may offer more flexibility and are available from a number of institutions including Kaplan University and Virginia College.

Virginia Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook

Three out of every four Virginia paralegals make more than $36,700, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Paralegal aspirants can find a number of government openings throughout the state, especially near Washington, D.C. and Hampton Roads. With the average salary close to $50,000, opportunities for advancement exist, as do lateral moves to other law firms, corporations or agencies, as well as supervising aspects of the department or firm.

Online and Virginia Paralegal Schools