| One of the most well-known methods to become | | | | paralegal studies. Currently, a limited number of |
| a legal assistant or paralegal is through a | | | | schools provide bachelors' or masters' degrees in |
| community university course that leads to an | | | | paralegal studies. A few companies teach |
| associate's qualification. Another common route; | | | | paralegals on the job, hiring school graduates with |
| primarily for those that already have a university | | | | virtually no legal experience or promoting |
| degree, is by means of a training course which | | | | experienced legal secretaries. Others have |
| leads to a qualification in paralegal studies. | | | | obtained working experience in a specialized field |
| Numerous legal assistants and paralegals have | | | | helpful to law firms, like criminal justice, tax |
| associate degrees in paralegal studies or a | | | | preparation for tax and estate planning, nursing or |
| bachelor's degree combined with a certificate in | | | | health administration for personal injury practice. |