What more education and experience will I need in order to become a Paralegal?

I agree; talk to prospective employers in your area to find out what their hiring preferences are. For example, are there any areas of specialization that are especially marketable in your area - immigration, bankruptcy, real estate, or family law (or some other)? And so on. You're letting the tail wag the dog if you complete additional schooling, then look around to see who will accept the resulting certification. Once you know what will make you marketable, you're in position to enroll in a certification program - and you've already begun to network for a job. The key in the paragraph above is to talk to people - don't just look for educational requirements in the want ads. Keep networking among potential employers; seek an internship - and experience to put on your resume. Keep your visibility high among potential employers to make it easier to land a job once you come out the other side of your educational effort. Ask about employment opportunities at law firms, government agencies, hospitals, insurance companies, major corporations, etc. - anyplace that's likely to have a legal department. Continue to network; volunteer at local clinics or visit http://www.probono.net/ Before enrolling, ask the school about their job placement programs and success rate - i.e. how many of their graduates are actually working in the law field (not merely serving fries to lawyers). After enrolling, use the school's resources to enlarge your networking efforts by talking to your professors, counselors, and helpful alumni - use their professional networks to enlarge your own. Use your alma maters' resources as well. Don't lean on any one of the above suggestions, implement as many as you can. Good luck with it.