As of May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported about 630 paralegal jobs in Vermont. Paralegals here earn an average hourly rate of $25.02, which works out to an average salary of $52,050 a year for full-time paralegals. Vermont paralegals earning in the top 10% made more than $72,160 that year.
A degree or post-degree certificate in paralegal studies is standard and is often chosen by paralegals who want to remain competitive in the profession. Specialized skills in a particular area of law, along with research and office technology skills, are also important additions to any paralegal’s resume.
Paralegal Certification
There is no mandatory licensing or certification in Vermont at this time.
Where to Earn Your Paralegal Certificate or Degree in Vermont
Paralegal Certificates
Burlington College
Burlington College is a small, private, liberal arts college located near the shore of Lake Champlain that integrates learning, personal development and engagement with the community into its educational programs. The school offers a 30-credit paralegal studies certificate that introduces students to numerous areas of the law and prepares them for work in entry-level paralegal positions. In addition, some students use this program as a means of becoming familiar with the law before pursuing a law degree. This course of study concludes with a three-credit internship that requires 96 hours of hands-on experience in a law office, agency, advocacy group or the Burlington College Pro Se Legal Clinic. This clinic is unique in that it helps familiarize individuals in the community with the legal system and, in some cases, with how to represent themselves. In turn, students serve the community while becoming more familiar with the legal system and processes.
- Estimated Program Cost: $22,860 for full-time study; $28,500 for part-time study (based on 2013-2014 tuition)
- Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent; two letters of recommendation
- ABA Approved: No
- Format: On Campus
Sample required courses:
- Politics: The Art of the Possible
- Constitutional Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Comparative Government and Law
Kaplan University
Kaplan University‘s pathway to paralegal post-baccalaureate certificate is designed for individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and wish to add to their legal knowledge or transition to a legal career. Courses cover legal ethics, communication skills, legal research, critical thinking and analyzation skills. The faculty is comprised of legal practitioners and students benefit from their experience and feedback. Seminars and discussion boards help make this online program engaging.
- Estimated Program Cost: $13,356 (based on 2013 full-program tuition costs)
- Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree
- ABA Approved: No
- Format: Online
Sample required courses:
- Civil Litigation
- Introduction to Legal Research
- Legal Ethics
- Law Office Management
Paralegal Associate Degrees
Penn Foster College
Penn Foster College offers self-paced learning programs with support from a faculty of experienced professionals. Its online paralegal studies associate degree program teaches students legal writing and research and how to conduct investigations and interviews, as well as covers legal terminology, the U.S. court system, paralegal ethics and professional responsibility. This program costs up to 86 percent less than other online programs.
- Estimated Program Cost: $3,555 (based on 2014 full-program tuition, including all books and learning materials)
- Prerequisites: 17 years old; high school diploma or equivalent
- ABA Approved: No
- Format: Online
Sample required courses:
- Legal Terminology and Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Law and the Legal System
- Investigations and Interviews
Paralegal Bachelor’s Degrees
Burlington College
Burlington College, a small, private, non-profit liberal arts college, offers a Bachelor of Arts in legal and justice studies. This program helps students develop the skills needed to step into employment in law firms, business, government, insurance and title companies and community programs; it can also serve as a stepping stone to law school. Courses cover law, history, politics, economics and the environment, and are taught by professors, lawyers and community activists. Burlington’s program stresses participation in the community and many students achieve this by completing their upper-level internships at the school’s Pro se Legal Clinic and community non-profits. Other internships are available through activist organizations, law offices and state and local government. Burlington College students are assured of individual attention thanks to a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1 and an average class size of 12.
- Estimated Program Cost: $91,440 (based on 2013-2014 annual tuition)
- Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent; two letters of recommendation
- ABA Approved: No
- Format: On Campus
Sample required courses:
- Family Law and Family Court
- Comparative Law, Politics and Government
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
Champlain College
An October 2013 article in The Atlantic on what an ideal college would look like described Champlain College as “innovative, nimble, adaptable,” citing the fact that this institution continually asks “What works?” Its undergraduate programs combine interdisciplinary liberal arts courses, a life-skills program and training for a career. Champlain’s legal studies Bachelor of Science program endeavors to give students skills that will make them indispensable and addresses the growing need for skills in contract negotiation and preparation, family law and child custody, statutory and case law research and civil and criminal litigation procedures. Graduates can use these skills to enter the workforce as paralegals or go on to law school. The “Upside-Down Curriculum” allows students to take at least four legal studies major courses during their first year of study, enabling them to hit the ground running.
- Estimated Program Cost: $125,000 (based on 2014 annual tuition)
- Prerequisites: College preparatory curriculum
- ABA Approved: No
- Format: On campus
Professional Organizations
- The Vermont Paralegal Organization (VPO) promotes paralegal professionalism and leadership and provides educational programs. VPO members receive salary surveys, get up-to-date information from a quarterly newsletter and can take advantage of discounts and opportunities for continuing legal education. In addition, the organization awards an annual scholarship to a paralegal/legal studies student.
- The Vermont Bar Association is primarily for attorneys; however, paralegals who meet certain qualifications can become non-voting associate members.
2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and job market trends for paralegals reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2022.