Should I Get a Paralegal Certificate or Two-Year Degree?

Are you considering becoming a paralegal? If so, you may have encountered the paralegal certificate vs associate degree debate.

You’ll ask yourself, “Which is the better option between a certificate and an associate’s degree?” Your choice will influence your cost of education, job prospects, and ROI.

But before we get into it, we’d like to say that you’re making a great decision. There’s a growing demand for trained paralegals and legal assistants. Law firms, legal departments, and other employers seek them for the following reasons.

Increased legal workload. Paralegals provide vital support services to lawyers with extraordinary workloads.
Increase cost efficiency. Paralegals can perform many types of legal work at a more affordable cost than lawyers. Legal research, trial preparation tasks, and document drafting are examples.
Technology integration. Paralegals who are proficient in legal technologies, such as e-discovery, provide valuable services.

There’s also the fact that more organizations are hiring skilled paralegals. Law firms and legal departments are still the most popular employers. More nonprofits, insurance companies, and other companies hire them, too.

Paralegals earn well, too. Their median wage is $61,010/year (BLS, May 2024), while the highest earners raked in more than $98,990/year.

With that said, here’s a side-by-side paralegal certificate vs associate degree comparison. Cost, time commitment, career potential, and education content are the main points.

Overview of Paralegal Education Options

Know the basics in the paralegal certificate vs associate degree debate first. You can make an informed decision afterward.

Certificate Programs

Paralegal certificate programs provide students with targeted paralegal training. Admission requirements vary, but applicants must have:

A bachelor’s degree in any field (i.e., post-baccalaureate programs); or
A minimum number of years of relevant work experience (e.g., legal or administrative work in a law firm).

Note that ABA-approved certificate programs usually require at least some college education.

Students focus more on the core knowledge and skills of paralegal work, including:

Legal research and writing
Ethics
Litigation support

Universities, community colleges, and professional schools offer them. You can also find online programs (e.g., Purdue Global and UC Berkeley Extension).

Certificate programs have a shorter duration than associate’s degree programs. You can acquire a certificate in paralegal studies in 6-12 months.

Associate’s Degree Programs

Two-year paralegal degree programs offer a more comprehensive education. Students tackle two major parts of the curriculum:

General education courses, such as English, math, and history; and
Specialized paralegal education courses, such as legal research and writing

You’ll also engage in hands-on training experiences, such as an internship/practicum. In contrast, these aren’t common in certificate programs.

As a result, you’ll also develop soft skills vital in paralegal work. Communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving are just as important.

Both paralegal education options are available in these formats:

In-person programs are best for students who thrive in a traditional classroom setting.
Online programs offer flexible schedules and self-paced study options.

If you want the best of both worlds, consider hybrid programs.

More than 550 colleges and universities offer paralegal education programs, too. Your job is to research their features and decide which one is the best for you.

Keep in mind that there’s no single best path to become a paralegal. The best path is your path based on your education level, experience, and goals.

Who Should Consider a Paralegal Certificate?

In-person and online paralegal certificate programs are ideal for those who:

Already have a bachelor’s degree in any field
Are seeking fast entry into the paralegal workforce
Want a cost-effective way to change careers

Again, paralegal certificate programs focus more on practical knowledge and skills. The curriculum content covers core competencies in:

Legal research and writing. You’ll learn to find, interpret, and cite legal sources as well as draft legal documents.
Legal ethics. Your legal studies cover professional conduct, confidentiality, and limitations of paralegal work.
Litigation and legal procedures, such as discovery and pretrial preparation.
Introduction to law, including legal terminology, the U.S. legal system, and court procedures.

Certificate programs don’t have general education courses. Instead, the focus is on developing your day-to-day skills as a paralegal.

Who Should Consider a Two-Year Paralegal Degree?

An associate degree in paralegal studies best suits:

High school graduates starting their first career
Those wanting a more well-rounded education
Students considering an eventual bachelor’s degree transfer

As previously mentioned, associate’s degree programs offer a more comprehensive education. Plus, these are also more intensive because of the legal specialty courses, including:

Legal research and writing
Civil litigation procedures and practices
Criminal law and procedure
Family law (e.g., domestic relations, divorce, and child support)
Business law and contracts

You’ll gain a well-rounded education as a result of the combination of courses. Yes, hard skills are a must to thrive in the paralegal profession. But soft skills are just as important to back up your hard skills.

For example, your legal research and writing skills may be top-notch. But if you can’t work well with other people, you’ll fall short.

There’s also the fact that an associate’s degree is often required in many instances. If you’re applying for jobs in large law firms, government agencies, or corporate legal departments, an associate’s degree is preferred. This is also true if you’re applying for specialized paralegal roles or promotions.

Cost Comparison: Certificate vs Associate Degree

Among the best paralegal certificate benefits is its more affordable cost. Certificate programs charge between $3,000 and $10,000 for their entirety.

In contrast, the paralegal associate degree cost can be a cause for concern. Tuition and fees range from $6,000 to $20,000 for a two-year program. You must also consider indirect costs, such as books and supplies and living expenses.

However, associate degree programs usually offer federal financial aid, scholarships, and grants. Be sure to enroll in an accredited college to qualify.

Certificate programs may or may not offer financial aid. But it’s best to check first so you can plan for the cost.

You must also consider long-term ROI vs. short-term affordability. An associate’s degree has a higher cost but it opens more job opportunities and higher pay.

Time to Completion and Flexibility

If you’re in a hurry to enter the paralegal profession, go for a certificate program. You’ll earn a certificate in 6-12 months.

But if you’re more patient, among other reasons, go for an associate’s degree. You’ll spend 18-24 months earning it, but the rewards may well be worth it.

Again, you can choose between online and in-person programs. There are also part-time programs that offer more flexibility but with a longer time to complete. Evening programs are a great option for working professionals, too.

Consider accelerated and self-paced options for both certificate and associate’s degree options. Accelerated programs emphasize faster completion time but are more challenging. Self-paced programs allow maximum flexibility but still feature challenging courses.

Job Prospects and Career Advancement

There are many well-paying career options for paralegal students in both education pathways. In fact, you can gain access to entry-level jobs with either a certificate or an associate’s degree.

Both education pathways are also accepted for certification eligibility. You can apply for NALA’s Certified Paralegal or NFPA’s PACE or PCCE credential with either a certificate or associate’s degree. Other requirements apply, such as relevant work experience.

However, there are a few key differences between these paralegal education pathways.

Competitive edge for pay raises, promotions, and specialized positions.

Associate’s degree holders usually have said competitive edge. This is because an associate’s degree signifies stronger hard and soft skills for leadership positions. Even in entry-level positions, some employers require or prefer an associate’s degree.

Potential for higher starting salary with an associate’s degree

There are exceptions depending on work experience, level of education, and employer. But, in general, associate’s degree holders tend to have higher starting salaries.

Transferability and Future Education Pathways

If you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, earn an associate’s degree first. You can transfer the latter’s credits to the former. Plus, you can use the time spent in an associate’s degree program to test the waters.

In contrast, certificate programs are usually terminal. You may or may not be able to transfer credits earned to a degree program. If you want to earn a degree, you may have to start from scratch.

So, if you’re looking for career flexibility and educational stepping stones, go for an associate’s degree.

Conclusion: Which Is Right for You?

So, how to become a certified paralegal? You have two choices – earn a certificate or an associate’s degree. Both have their pros and cons, so consider them first.

Then, consider these key factors:

Time to complete
Cost of education
Educational background
Career goals

Both paths lead to successful careers in the legal field. Your job is to plan your career and leverage your credentials.

When choosing between a certificate and an associate’s degree, choose based on your goals, not just what’s faster or cheaper.