Earning a bachelor's degree is the first step to becoming a paralegal. In Maryland, aspiring paralegals can pursue certification or degree-granting programs in paralegal studies to help them prepare for one of the voluntary national certification exams. This can be useful in a competitive labor market, as it can help distinguish beginning paralegals from their peers. Not all programs are approved by the United States Bar Association (ABA) or offered by accredited educational institutions, so it is important to research the program before enrolling.
Legal aid, case assistance, paralegal interns, and legal administrative assistance are some of the names given to entry-level paralegal jobs. However, online opportunities to become paralegal certified in Maryland can expand a candidate's job prospects. Blackstone's online Paralegal Diploma Program & Training provides students with an email containing contact information upon enrollment. Graduates must be qualified to work as paralegals or continue their studies in the legal field. There is no paralegal license in Maryland, but students can meet continuing legal education requirements as part of their certification.
There are plenty of options for those who decide to go ahead and get their paralegal degree online in Maryland. Since Maryland has not established standards for certification and education, there are no paralegal requirements in the state. In and around Maryland, you could face paralegals who already have experience with multinational corporations, international lobbyists, and the country's top federal offices. For maximum flexibility, many students complete their paralegal certification in Maryland online. Paralegals hold a variety of positions almost everywhere in law firms and other entities. Maryland law firms and other employers have come to rely on paralegals with the kind of experience that can only be gained by obtaining a certificate or degree in paralegal studies.
Once students finish their education, there are no Maryland paralegal requirements that prevent them from working. In addition, students can choose to obtain professional certification through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), which requires them to complete or be completing a legal aid program and pass an exam. Cecil College awards the Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Paralegal Studies to students who successfully complete their 60-credit hour paralegal program. Schools often offer online associate degrees in paralegal studies, which is widely accepted as the minimum education requirement for paralegal jobs, since bachelor's degrees in this specialty are rare.
