h2>Becoming a Paralegal with a Theology Degree

Paralegals, or legal assistants, serve as a support system for attorneys in nearly all aspects of the legal profession. According to the U.S. News & World Report, paralegals are ranked as one of the top-ten job options in the social services field. Legal assistants seeking employment based on their faith can apply for a position at a faith-based law firm, Christian legal services agency, or with attorneys that specialize in the defense of religious freedom. The paralegal occupation is an excellent option for students with an interest in law, but who don’t want to commit to the many years of education it takes to become a lawyer.

Job Activities & Responsibilities

Hired mostly by law firms, government agencies and legal departments on the corporate level, paralegals are employed by all kinds of organizations. Full-time and part-time employment is available for paralegals; however, it is not uncommon for some to work more than 40 hours per week. The level of involvement that a paralegal undertakes is up to his or her employer. Most of their work takes place in an office, but can also involve occasion travel to obtain information, collect documents, as well as accompany attorneys for depositions and trials. The most common day-to-day tasks associated with the profession include:

• the maintenance and organization of files
• conducting research for legal cases
• drafting motions and photocopying legal documents
• communicating with clients on behalf of a lawyer – even interviewing witnesses
• performing a range of administrative tasks, from answering phones to greeting clients

Education

Although there are no set-in-stone requirements for becoming a paralegal, most in the field are hired with having at least an associate degree in paralegal studies from a community college. A graduate with a bachelor’s degree in theology may pursue a certificate in paralegal studies before applying to open positions. Certificate programs can last as little as a few months, and can be completed online. College graduates often gain hands-on experience by participating in an internship or mentorship, or through on-the-job training.

Career Salary & Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paralegals are paid a median salary of $50,410 per year. The overall pay for a paralegal is affected by a number of factors, including geographic location. The BLS has identified the top-paying states for this occupation as Connecticut, Washington, New Jersey, Alaska, and the District of Columbia, which paid their paralegals an annual mean wage of $78,350.

Being able to show formal training as a paralegal, completing relevant college coursework, demonstrating strong computer/research skills, and having experience in database management all increase the chances of being hired by a lawyer or law agency.

The number of jobs available to paralegals is projected to grow 15%, which is a much faster rate than the average occupation in the U.S. Aspiring paralegals can expect more than 285,600 jobs to become available from 2016 to 2026. Demand for legal assistants is expected to rise because many legal firms are hiring more paralegals than lawyers, in an effort to reduce costs.