Individuals seeking a relatively quick path to a law career, or a stepping stone toward becoming a lawyer may be interested in a paralegal studies program. After studying subjects like the court system, legal terminology and documentation, graduates can take the paralegal certification testing.

Master-level studies involve specialized study in a field of research or an area of professional practice. Earning a master’s degree demonstrates a higher level of mastery of the subject.
Earning a master’s degree can take anywhere from a year to three or four years. Before you can graduate, you usually must write and defend a thesis, a long paper that is the culmination of your specialized research.