<p>My wife obtained a BA in Philosophy, then after about a 1 year break when she was contemplating going to Law School, she obtained her Paralegal Certification.</p>
<p>It’s been a while since she’s actually had to look for a job (her most recent job offer came to her, she was never looking for it), but I can recall that most of the paralegal position openeings required a 4-year degree and the Paralegal Certification, though it rarely speficied any particular major for the 4-year degree. I suppose it can depend on what type of industry that Paralegal position is in (i.e. 4-year degree in Bio, Chem, or Environmental Science for a Paralegal in a firm dealing with Environmental Law, or an Engineering degree for a Paralegal in a firm dealing with Patent Law or IP). There were some job postings that only mentioned requiring a Paralegal Certificate, but those who would have a BA/S applying for that job with their Certification would be at an advantage over those who did not.</p>
<p>We live in the San Francisco Bay Area, however, and this type of thing may also be effected by location. For example, I can see a 4-year degree required for most Paralegals in California because there are so many schools where someone can obtain the education. However, in Hawaii there are not as many such institutions or opportunities, so employers may adjust their criteria for this. Interestingly enough, my wife and I have also lived in Hawaii for about 4 years.</p>
<p>It’s important to note as well that the Paralegal Certification (to be an actual “Certified” Paralegal) you need to attend continuing education, much like how an attorney does. You need “x” amount of credits every year, so while the initial education for certification is less than a 4-year degree, once you’ve worked in the profession for a while you would have more class time/credits than a student who obtained a 4-year degree and just stopped there (since they are not required to take continuing education courses to retain their BA/S).</p>
<p>I’d also like to mention that, sadly, in really competitive markets and locations, some Law School students who have passed the state bar are applying to firms as Paralegals because they are unable to obtain an Attorney position, so it makes this area even more competitive depending on what the employer is looking for. For example, this is bad for the “2-year Certified Paralegal” if the firm is looking for a Paralegal with a JD. However it can be bad for the “JD Graduate” if the employer is looking for cheaper labor (Certified Paralegal is more likely to accept lower pay for the same position as a JD grad is applying for), plus the ethics of the legal porfessions still prohibit a JD grad (who has passed the bar) to participate in certain responsibilities if they are “under” an attorney. For example, the JD grad would not be able to give certain legal advice or partake on the trial floor (speaking to the Judge, questioning witnesses in court, etc), privilages bestowed upon the title of “Attorney” and not “Paralegal”. So a JD grad would have attened school for an extra 3 years (vs 1 year for Paralegal Certification if you already have a 4-year degree), paid a whole lot more money (or took out more loans), and gone through the craziness of passing the bar exams, and not be able to use those benefits to much of their capacities, all while most likely getting paid less than an “Attorney”.</p>
<p>Being a Paralegal also solidified my wife’s inclining to go to Law School and become an attorney. However, there are a variety of classes a Paralegal takes to prepare them for other professions or jobs. For example, a course on Real Estate law, Corporate Law, Wills & Trusts, and many more can forster skills to use in Real Estate, Business, and other fields. Oddly enough, in my personal observation, I’ve seen the Paralegal Certification courses as all (or most) of the classes taught in Law School during the first year, like Legal Research and Writing, or Legal Aspects of Evidence - so it’s likely a Paralegal is taking the same course material as 1Ls, albeit not at a Law School, but most Pralegal Certification programs are ABA Accredited just like Law Schools (like my wife’s program). My wife always found it great that most of her prpfessors in the Paralegal program were also professors at teh local Law Schools, including the Law School at the university that she received her BA from! So she ended up getting the same classes that 1Ls were getting at Law School, and by the same professors! This wasn’t always the case, but it was in the majority of her classes.</p>
<p>Hope this helps and best of luck.</p>