Paralegals and legal assistants work for attorneys. They perform substantial legal work and are trained to research legal issues, prepare, review and file legal documents, manage client relations and perform administrative office tasks. Paralegals may not give advice to clients or appear on their behalf in court. The need for qualified paralegals and legal assistants continues to grow and work is available in private practice law firms, corporate law departments and local, state or federal agencies.
Do I Need a Paralegal or Legal Assistant Degree to get a Job?
A degree is not required to work as a paralegal or legal assistant; however, it is highly recommended and will increase your chances of securing a job. Most programs offer a certificate or Bachelor of Science in legal studies degree. To earn a certificate, most programs require that you have at least an associates degree before enrolling. The curriculum for a paralegal degree emphasizes legal research techniques, critical thinking skills and advanced office skills. You will take courses such as legal research and writing, business law, personal injury and tort law and alternative dispute resolution. As well, you have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as personal injury, estate and property law or bankruptcy.
If you're interested in working as a legal assistant, paralegal or simply want to apply legal knowledge in your current position, a degree or certificate in legal studies may be right for you. Paralegals work for attorneys where they perform substantial legal work. Paralegals may not give advice to clients or appear on their behalf in court; however, they are trained to research legal issues, prepare, review and file legal documents, manage client relations and perform administrative office tasks. The need for qualified paralegals continues to grow and work is available in private practice law firms, corporate law departments and local, state or federal agencies.
Do you want to go to law school but feel you can't fit it into your life? Maybe you have professional obligations, don't want to relocate or have family responsibilities. With advancements in technology and the wide use of computers and the internet, it is now possible to go to law school and complete courses at your own pace. Many institutions offer online programs to help you attain either a Juris Doctor, which allows you to practice law once you pass the state bar exam, as well as an Executive Juris Doctor, for those who want to study law but not practice it. Those who enroll in executive juris doctor programs do so to develop analytical thinking skills and effective communication skills that will help them advance in their current careers. Some institutions also offer a master's degree in health law which is perfect for working nurses, paramedics and other health care practitioners.
Justice Administration is a broad field of criminal justice dealing with corrections, law enforcement, and the judicial system. Studying justice administration can prepare you for many careers in the criminal justice system. Many who study justice administration go on to become police officers, special agents, criminal records managers, security specialists and juvenile service workers.
Degrees in Justice Administration
A degree in justice administration provides a foundation for a career with a criminal justice agency, yet those careers generally require additional education after degree completion. For example, police officers are required to go to the police academy; lawyers are required to go to law school and pass a state bar exam. Justice administration degree programs generally include courses like sociology, psychology and criminology. The goal of these programs is to provide a solid background of the criminal justice system and promote understanding of both the practical and theoretical sides of criminality. A Bachelor of Science degree is the first step toward a career in justice administration. Many will go on to receive a master's or doctorate in a specialty area of justice administration.
Earnings/Salary Potential According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, court reporters earned a median annual income of $45,610 in 2006. The lowest ten percent of court reporters surveyed earned less than $23,430 while the highest paid ten percent earned more than $77,770.
Court Reporting at a Glance Individuals interested in becoming court reporters should pursue degree programs that involve either communications studies or legal studies. Court reporters have highly developed listening skills, advanced grammar and writing skills, and knowledge of legal terms and procedures. Many training is obtained on site, but there are numerous postsecondary vocational and technical schools that instruct students on special skills such as stenography and real-time reporting.
Advance Your Career with a Degree in Security and Loss Prevention
Are you working in the criminal justice field and want to advance your career? Do you want to acquire skills in homeland security, emergency response, industrial health and safety and security management? Then consider a degree in public security loss and prevention. With a degree program in security loss and prevention you can work in both the public and private sector, like casinos and other institutions with large amounts of cash, as an officer skilled in the prevention of fraud and theft. You will also develop the skills to address safety issues such as fire and weather damage. Degrees in security and loss prevention are fitting for police officers as the degree programs are similar to police academy programs, only security and loss prevention programs emphasize prevention and investigation.
Advance in Your Career with a Degree in Public Safety Management
Do you feel like your job in law enforcement, corrections, emergency medical services, disaster relief or homeland security is stagnant? Do you want to acquire leadership, management and administrative skills? Then consider a degree in public safety management. Through a degree program in public safety management, you’ll acquire the skills to develop response strategies in emergency situations, deal with ethical issues arising from matters of increased national security and polish skills needed to be an effective leader during emergencies. You’ll also develop a solid foundation in public administration, public finance, terrorism, personnel and disaster response.
Online degrees in Public Safety Management
Online and distance learning is ideal for a degree in public safety management. Many institutions such as St. Edwards University, Franklin University, Grand Canyon University, Walden University and Kaplan University offer online degree programs. To enter a program in public safety management, an associate’s degree and work experience in a criminal justice field is required as well as previous coursework in statistics, science, math and humanities. In these programs, you will take classes such as public sector finance, applied business systems and strategies for motivation. These programs use resources such as virtual lectures, discussions and supplemental readings to give you the training you need to be successful. These programs allow you to advance your career while still maintaining a full time job and fulfilling personal responsibilities. You can study and complete the program at your own pace.
In today's academic landscape, flexibility is key. The hectic lifestyle of the modern student requires highly personalized options and choices. Luckily, you now have a myriad of options available – you can seek a degree completely online, take classes at your local campus, or develop a combination of both online and offline study. The pursuit of higher education has never been easier, and the vast majority of schools offering online degree programs also offer a complementary Campus Program, or a hybrid program designed to perfectly match your needs. Whatever your course of study, we can help you find the most ustomized solution to fit your busy schedule. Find the program that best suits your individual tastes, and be on your way to a degree sooner rather than later.
The charge of a corrections officer is to ensure the safety of correctional facility workers and to manage correctional facility inmates. Corrections officers attend probation and parole hearings, enforce daily schedules for prisoners and perform administrative tasks such as facility upkeep and financial affairs. To work as a corrections officer, you must have either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. They are both criminal justice degrees with a specialty in corrections. Corrections degree programs will teach you about both the administrative and operational aspects of the correctional system. You will also take courses on topics such as probation and parole, and receive training in ethical studies by exploring issues like jail overcrowding, inmate rights and juvenile justice. These degrees prepare you for entry-level jobs at local, state and federal facilities.
Online Degrees in Corrections
Whether you want to advance in your current job or are just starting out, an online degree in corrections can provide a solid foundation on which to enhance or build your career. With continual advancements in technology as well as the proliferation of the Internet in daily life, online degree programs are becoming more and more common. Online programs use resources such as virtual lectures, discussions and supplemental readings to give you the training you need to be successful. The beauty of these programs is that you don’t have to rearrange your life to go back to school and you can study at your own pace when you want. Institutions that offer online degrees in corrections include Eastern Kentucky University, Colorado Technical University, Kaplan University, Bellevue University, American Public University, Indiana State University and Taylor University.
In today's academic landscape, flexibility is key. The hectic lifestyle of the modern student requires highly personalized options and choices. Luckily, you now have a myriad of options available – you can seek a degree completely online, take classes at your local campus, or develop a combination of both online and offline study. The pursuit of higher education has never been easier, and the vast majority of schools offering online degree programs also offer a complementary Campus Program, or a hybrid program designed to perfectly match your needs. Whatever your course of study, we can help you find the most ustomized solution to fit your busy schedule. Find the program that best suits your individual tastes, and be on your way to a degree sooner rather than later.
There is a wide range of career possibilities available to individuals who study forensic sciences. One can work as a detective, crime scene technician, forensic scientist, forensic accountant, or medical examiner. According to a survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private detectives had a median annual income of $33,750 in May of 2006.
Forensics at a Glance
Forensics combine the sciences and knowledge of the legal system to solve a myriad of problems, often in relation to crime solving. Most professions involving forensics require that individuals have backgrounds in areas other than forensics. For instance, working as a forensic scentist requires that an individual have a degree in a physical science in addition to criminal justice and forensic science knowledge.
Economic crimes are generally white collar crimes like identity theft, money laundering and fraud. Economic crime can happen in large corporations (for example Enron), banks, small businesses and even the government. Those who investigate these crimes are generally police officers, private investigators and corporate investigators who have strong background in accounting and will find themselves working public and private agencies like police departments or corporate offices. The goal of an economic crime specialist is not just to investigate and solve economic crimes, but to prevent them as well. The white collar criminal perpetrating economic crimes tends to be savvy, trustworthy in their professional lives, leaders, and even high profile. They cannot be easily pinpointed as criminals. In order to carry out their crimes, these criminals must be well versed in modern technology and financial institutions.
