03/25/2025
Are you a legal assistant or paralegal looking to grow in your career? Have you completed a legal studies certificate, paralegal certificate, or associate's degree and you're ready to take your next step?
As you consider your career goals and your future in the legal field, you're faced with an important choice: should you pursue a bachelor's degree to advance your legal studies? The answer depends on where you envision yourself in the future.
The good news is that your current experience in the legal field gives you a solid foundation to build on, whether you hope to earn a bachelor's degree in legal studies or prepare for law school. You already understand the basics of the legal system, have hands-on experience with legal documents, and know what it's like to work in a legal environment. Now, it's time to explore whether a bachelor's degree in legal studies or paralegal studies aligns with your professional development goals.
In this guide, we'll explore the key differences between legal studies and paralegal studies, examine the career opportunities each path offers, and help you consider your options as you make this important decision. Whether you're looking to advance in your current role, transition to a different area of law, or lay the groundwork for law school, here's what you need to know!
Legal vs. Paralegal Studies: Potential Career Paths & Opportunities
If you're already working in the legal field, you know that there are multiple paths to building a successful career. As you consider your options, it is helpful to understand the key differences between legal studies and paralegal studies, what potential responsibilities and job duties may be, and where each path might take you.
Legal Studies
Legal studies takes a broad approach to the legal system. This field focuses on how law intersects with various aspects of society, business, and government. A legal studies program provides legal knowledge and helps students develop a deeper understanding of legal theory, policy analysis, and the broader impact of law on different industries. This knowledge can help you prepare for roles in compliance, risk management, law firm administration, or government agencies.
With experience in legal studies, further education may open opportunities in roles such as:
- Regulatory compliance - Compliance professionals ensure organizations follow legal requirements and industry standards. As a compliance officer, your duties may include: staying current on regulatory guidelines and advising organizations on how to comply, developing organizational policies, assessing compliance risks, and investigating potential compliance violations.
- Risk management - In risk management, you may help organizations analyze potential legal issues before they become problems. Risk managers often assist leadership with examining business processes, operations, and strategy to identify and mitigate risk in areas like compliance, employment law, and finance.
- Policy analysis - A focus on policy analysis may be a good fit for positions with government agencies or non-profit organizations. Policy analysts influence policy decisions at the local, state, and federal level. They may collect and analyze statistical data, identify problems and recommend solutions, evaluate effectiveness of existing policies, and present information to policymakers and other groups.
- Law firm administration - Some legal studies professionals work with law firms, managing the business aspects of legal practices. Law firm administrators typically need interpersonal and communication skills, experience with legal technology, financial knowledge in budgeting and accounting, and excellent organizational skills.
Paralegal Studies
Paralegal studies focuses specifically on the hands-on, practical aspects of supporting attorneys and legal teams. As a paralegal professional, you serve as the backbone of legal operations, managing crucial tasks that keep cases moving forward. Your role typically involves conducting detailed legal research, drafting and reviewing legal documents, managing case files, and directly assisting attorneys with trial preparation. You might also interview clients, coordinate with other legal professionals, and maintain critical deadlines for court filings.
If you already have a paralegal certificate or associate's degree, furthering your paralegal education may provide opportunities for roles such as:
- Specialty Paralegal Roles - You might choose to pursue additional paralegal training to deepen your knowledge of complex law in a specific area such as corporate law, finance, criminal law, or family law.
- Managerial Roles - Some professionals with additional education may qualify for managerial positions, depending on experience and employer needs.
- Law School - After spending some time working in a legal practice, ome paralegals may choose to apply for law school, but admission depends on multiple factors, including academic performance and LSAT scores. If you decide to pursue this route, you will need to earn a bachelor's degree in a legal field and pass the law school admission test.
Choosing Between a Legal Studies or Paralegal Studies Degree
The type of degree you pursue depends on the career path you choose. If you plan to remain in the legal field as a paralegal or legal assistant, you may want to explore a Bachelor's Degree in Paralegal Studies program. If you hope to use your legal knowledge in a different type of role, you may want to consider a bachelor's or master's degree in your field of interest. For example:
Common Bachelor's Degrees Before Applying to Law School
To be accepted into law school, you will need to complete a bachelor's degree. While there is no specific degree required, some degrees can prepare you with knowledge in specific areas that may be helpful. For example, aspiring law school students may choose to pursue one of the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in English
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Arts in History
Common Degrees for Other Legal Roles
Legal positions in corporate offices, healthcare systems, government roles, and other types of organizations may require a legal studies degree or a degree in a related field such as:
- Bachelor of Arts in Business
- Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management
- Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Legal Studies
Choosing the Right Career Path
Pursuing additional education in either paralegal studies or legal studies may open opportunities for growth and specialization, but they serve different needs within the legal system. Paralegal studies professionals often prefer direct involvement with case work and client interaction, while legal studies professionals might focus more on the administrative, policy, or business aspects of law.
The key is understanding which path aligns better with your interests and career goals.
- Do you enjoy the detailed, hands-on work of case management and legal research?
- Are you more interested in the broader applications of law and policy in different settings?
Consider asking an admissions counselor about program structure, transfer credits, and student support resources.:
- How many of my current credits will transfer into the program?
- What types of roles do your graduates typically pursue?
- Does the program offer specializations in specific areas of law?
- Are there opportunities for internships or practical experience?
- What resources are available for career planning and job placement?
Remember, this decision is about finding the right fit for your career goals. Take time to research your options, talk with professionals in both fields, and consider how each path aligns with your long-term aspirations.
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Disclaimer: Completion of a degree does not guarantee employment. Career outcomes depend on multiple factors, including employer requirements, industry standards, and individual qualifications.
