Paralegal questions

I am in school right now for my Associates Degree to in Paralegal Studies. I would like to go back to school (after I graduate) to get my bachelors degree, is there any online course that is ABA approved?

As far as I know, there are no online ABA approved Paralegal programs. Reason being that the ABA has requirements regarding a program's law library.

You can research ABA programs at the ABA website www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/home.html or at the AAfPE website-aafpe.org.

From the ABA website:

Home Study and Web-Based Programs

"The American Bar Association does not approve correspondence or home study programs and does not provide information on home study programs. The American Bar Association Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs do allow approved programs to offer some paralegal coursework through web-based electronic delivery and other means of distance delivery. It is suggested that you contact the American Association for Paralegal Education to obtain a list of its member institutions that offer some or all of the curriculum by distance delivery."

Yes there is through Kaplan University.

Natasha Lovold in Pensacola, Florida said: Yes there is through Kaplan University.

The original poster was looking for "ABA approved online programs". The ABA does not approve online paralegal programs. The Kaplan program is not an ABA approved paralegal program.

Jewels B in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania said: I am in school right now for my Associates Degree to in Paralegal Studies. I would like to go back to school (after I graduate) to get my bachelors degree, is there any online course that is ABA approved?

If your current paralegal associate degree is ABA approved and you would like to continue your paralegal studies on a bachelor level, ABA approval is not necessary because you have it on the associate degree.

Natasha Lovold in Pensacola, Florida said: Yes there is through Kaplan University.

Jane Do Girl in Cantonment, Florida said: The original poster was looking for "ABA approved online programs". The ABA does not approve online paralegal programs. The Kaplan program is not an ABA approved paralegal program.

FWIW there are two "Kaplans'; Kaplan "University" and Kaplan "College." It's easy to confuse the two.

Kaplan "University" appears to be an online school. Kaplan "College" has several campuses. At least in Colorado, Kaplan "College" offers an on-campus ABA paralegal program.

Hope that helps. Joel is correct. If you earned an ABA certificate in junior college, you will have that task out of the way. You need only complete your Bachelor's degree to be set.

Joel, let's look at your youth. Do you have enough left (younger than 35) so you aren't "over the hill" in another five years? I would suggest you get your paralegal (associate) at an ABA approved school. I guess you want your Bachelor's in Legal Assisting. If you truly do, then get a minor too - in something like business administration, finance or education - so you have other options available in case your dream career collapses.

I was speaking of the bachelor's degree because if your associates is aba approved then it does not matter. But, an advantage about Kaplan University is that it comes highly recommended and it is nationally and regionally accredited. They offer Legal Studies not just Legal Assisting/Paralegal.

Natasha specifically referred to Kaplan University, the online school, which is not ABA approved. The OP doesn't say if her AS degree is ABA approved. I checked out Kaplan College's Denver campus; apparently, it was originally the Denver Paralegal Institute, founded in the late 1970's and has now been bought and assimilated into the Kaplan franchise. That particular campus program only offers a Certificate and an AS degree.

Another thing to think about - a number of states have implemented Paralegal registration or certification programs with varying criteria for eligibility. In Florida, the FRP program is fairly exclusionary in the qualifying education criteria, and we are learning that graduates from online programs or other non-traditional paralegal programs are not eligible to obtain this status. Although these programs are fairly new and voluntary, except California, I predict an eventual nationwide trend towards Paralegal regulation. Students should think about this when considering online paralegal programs.

Many traditional brick-and-mortar schools are now offering their paralegal programs online. If you're going to invest the money in higher education, invest in a recognized 'branded' degree. You can find many of those programs at the American Association for Paralegal Education website: www.aafpe.org/m_search/index.asp

Jane Do Girl in Milton, Florida said: I checked out Kaplan College's Denver campus; apparently, it was originally the Denver Paralegal Institute, founded in the late 1970's and has now been bought and assimilated into the Kaplan franchise.....

Correct. I earned my ABA certificate when the school was DPI. DPI was one of the first paralegal schools.

Jane Do Girl said: I predict an eventual nationwide trend towards Paralegal regulation.....

....which would be totally unnecessary. I hope it won't happen.

I am looking for an ABA accredited school for paralegal studies. I am NOT interested in online courses. Does anyone have information about an accredited school in Pennsylvania?

Try this list: www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/pa.html

If Wilmington, Delaware isn't far from you, you might check out Widener University. law.widener.edu/ParalegalLNC.aspx It is ABA-approved. Our poster, Cindy (kmm) attended Widener. I understand it's a very good school. I'm sure she'd be happy to put in her two cents if she's reading this forum.

I believe one of the original paralegal schools is/was located in Philly. It is/was supposed to be outstanding. Sorry, but I don't recall the name.

kitty in Scranton, Pennsylvania said: I am looking for an ABA accredited school for paralegal studies. I am NOT interested in online courses. Does anyone have information about an accredited school in Pennsylvania?

The ABA-approved Paralegal certificate schools are in Philadelphia-where all the lawyers are. I went to Widener Law Schools Paralegal program, Wilmington, DE. It was an excellent program. As to getting a job , that is on you and ....The campus is small, self-contained and lovely. Great law library on campus. Classes are taught by same professors who also teach the law students. Most of the professors had law firm careers before they became professors. The classes are small, well taught. It is one semester to get the certificate if you go full-time day student. Sept-May grad. It runs parallel with the 1st year law students...Going to school was the best part.

As to my education at Widener Law School's Paralegal program:

Education is great, and you must do well. Getting a job is a whole other challenge. Do not expect any help from the school for placement.

Philadelphia and Delaware are dead for jobs, due to present economy. The few positions will have lots of applicants. Maybe the govrenment is better, there is county, city, state, federal.

Be prepared for very low pay, low $20k

Be prepared for very low pay, $20K. Well then that's it. I'm going back to prostitution.

I am actually in a four year college that is ABA approved and you have the option to take most of your courses online. So far it is a great school! My question is, where in the country are the most paralegal jobs? And when do you think we will be out of this bad economy. I finish my bachelors degree in four years, but I plan to start looking for a job when I finish my associates in two years. Because my courses are all online, I have the freedom to move anywhere in the country for a job.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: Be prepared for very low pay, $20K. Well then that's it. I'm going back to prostitution.

good one

Jess in Washington, District of Columbia said: I am actually in a four year college that is ABA approved and you have the option to take most of your courses online. So far it is a great school! My question is, where in the country are the most paralegal jobs? And when do you think we will be out of this bad economy. I finish my bachelors degree in four years, but I plan to start looking for a job when I finish my associates in two years. Because my courses are all online, I have the freedom to move anywhere in the country for a job.

Well- A Paralegal in Dallas, TX has commented that the recession has not affected the legal community there, so far.

AS to the reession in general- it is going to be a long-haul.

Hey does anyone know how I can get my foot in the door in a law job? like I stated before, I am only in school for paralegal now, but I would really like to do anything in a law firm. Any ideas how to go about this?

Jess in Washington, District of Columbia said: I am actually in a four year college that is ABA approved and you have the option to take most of your courses online....

Are you sure the paralegal portion of your four-year program is ABA approved?? According to at least two references I've found, the ABA does not approve distance learning paralegal programs. Or do you have to take the paralegal courses on campus.

As far as the best area for jobs, I can only speak authoritatively for around here. There's just about nothing around and even less for entry paralegals.

As far as getting a job in a firm, look under "Legal" in your local paper or online. Firms sometimes look for people who can help with copying, answering phones and as runners, i.e. a person(s) who runs errands and makes deliveries. Look for those jobs. You may not see many in this economy.

Don't hold your breath about being an intern or junior legal assistant or something like that. Firms simply aren't hiring many people and they can get all the experienced people they need for those jobs. Finally, be prepared for a long haul in getting your first job. The recession notwithstanding, at least around here competition is keen for legal jobs.

My program definitely is ABA approved, I do have to take some courses in class, but most can be taken online.. They are one of the only schools that does offer ABA courses online!

Jess in Mount Airy, Maryland said: My program definitely is ABA approved, I do have to take some courses in class, but most can be taken online.. They are one of the only schools that does offer ABA courses online!

Which school, if I may ask?

In any event, Jane Do Girl's cite to the ABA website, above, would be dispositive:

Jane Do Girl in Pensacola, Florida said: "The American Bar Association does not approve correspondence or home study programs and does not provide information on home study programs. The American Bar Association Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs do allow approved programs to offer some paralegal coursework through web-based electronic delivery and other means of distance delivery. It is suggested that you contact the American Association for Paralegal Education to obtain a list of its member institutions that offer some or all of the curriculum by distance delivery."

Good luck with your program.

How about if you give us the website for your program so we can check it out. I don't think it's ABA approved either.

Peirce College, look them up they are ABA approved!

The Certificate of Proficiency in Business Law from Pierce College from Pierce College helps prepare you to work closely with attorneys, judges, prosecutors, or public defenders as a Paralegal.
Please note Peirce requires that four foundation courses be taken in an on campus setting. These courses are not offered online, however, you can either complete these courses on Peirce's campus, or you can transfer credits for these courses from another comparable on campus program. If you are working on or have completed your associate degree from an ABA-approved program or a school that has an articulation agreement with Peirce, chances are that you have taken classes that meet the on campus requirement already!
Pierce College paralegal certificate classes begin every month in an accelerated, seven-week format. Attend school part-time and complete a certificate program in as little as 6 months.
With Pierce College's Certificate in Paralegal Studies, you have the option of earning your certificate online, at the Philadelphia campus, at a company or community location, or any combination of the three!
Accreditation: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education.

QUESTION: Where does it say it is ABA approved? I didn't find it. No program that is only six months is going to be ABA approved. It just isn't. There is a paragraph saying ABA - If you are working on or have completed your associate degree from an ABA-approved program -- says FROM ---
Also, $425.00 a credit IS EXPENSIVE, UNNECESSARY AND A RIPOFF!!!

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: I don't think it's ABA approved either.

Actually, Mary, according to the ABA website, Peirce's program is ABA approved:

Paralegal Program Approved - ABA website said:
Peirce College
Paralegal Studies Program
1420 Pine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Director: Edwin B. Miller
Telephone: xxxxxxxx
Fax: xxxxxxxxx
Email Us
Type of Institution: Private, 4 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science, Post-baccalaureate Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program:
Internships: Elective
For more information: www.peirce.edu OR www.peirceonline.net
Description: Founded in 1865, Peirce College is a private, four-year, specialized institution providing practical, leading-edge curricula to primarily working adult learners. The paralegal studies program has been going strong since 1987. Peirce offers associate, bachelor, and post-bachelor certificate options. Classes are offered for day and evening schedules. ***Online course format options are also offered pursuant to the ABA approval guidelines for distance education.*** A large factor in keeping the program strong and healthy has been identifying bottom line issues and building initiative plans that respond to the needs of the students and the legal community.

(emphasis added)

You may have looked at the wrong Peirce web page. Go to the Peirce home page, thence "Degrees and Programs," thence "Paralegal Studies." That page states that Peirce's paralegal program is ABA approved. Jess cannot take all of his paralegal courses online.

Link to ABA website: www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/pa.html#peir

Link to Peirce Paralegal Studies page: www.peirce.edu/DegreesPrograms/Paralegal.html

PS - FWIW I tried to post the above links in my post before my last post. Indeed's $#%@! software wouldn't let me. :(

Well, the first thing I would do to try and land an entry level paralegal job is impress, impress, impress at the place where you do your internship. That's the number one way to get an entry level job.

The Dallas legal field seems sortof okay still. I have heard of only minor layoffs. No matter the city you might try and get in with a consumer bankruptcy attorney. It would be low paying if you represented the consumer, but it would be a start and that field is booming. Do you have Spanish? That helps a lot in Texas if you are working for a law firm that represents individuals, but again when you represent individuals vs representing companies, the pay is not as much.

I got my entry level job by cold-faxing my resume to law firms in town. I was offered a gig at my internship, but turned it down as every single person in that corporate legal department was not happy working there. The general counsel was a nut job.

"My program definitely is ABA approved, I do have to take some courses in class, but most can be taken online.. They are one of the only schools that does offer ABA courses online!"

As I stated it is ABA approved, and I also stated that I do have to go to class for some of my classes, but I can take most of my courses online! And as for Mary in Tampa Florida, yeah the courses are expensive BUT I am not coming out school with a community college degree! To me it is worth it!

Jess in Washington, District of Columbia said: Hey does anyone know how I can get my foot in the door in a law job? like I stated before, I am only in school for paralegal now, but I would really like to do anything in a law firm. Any ideas how to go about this?

If you are in school now, go to the placement office and start asking now. Ask your professors. GEt the local legal newspaper with classified in the back.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Actually, Mary, according to the ABA website, Peirce's program is ABA approved: (emphasis added)

It is on Pine Street, Philadelphia- never heard of it- sure the lawyers in Philadelphia have.

Seriously- with the economy where it is - paralegal is a scary field to pay money for. Philadelphia is a dry town for work now.

Yeah the economy sucks, but I can afford the schooling. My husband and I are just really good at budgeting money! And I will NOT settle in Philly!! I have the freedom to move all over north America including Canada since I have the correct paper work for both countries. That is why I am asking, where in this country are the most paralegal jobs?

Jess, if you wants job to IMPRESS, think about court reporting. The hours are better, far more prestidge. And jobs are plentiful.

Well, gotta run off for $10.00 an hour.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: Jess, if you wants job to IMPRESS, think about court reporting. The hours are better, far more prestidge. And jobs are plentiful.

As long as one has the aptitude for court reporting. It appears to be hard to learn. According to your very informative comments on other fora, Mary, some people spend years and tons of money trying to learn it.

I agree with Cindy about not paying money for paralegal. It's not worth it. Law is a lousy industry in which to work. Paralegal jobs are hard to get, especially for entry paralegals, and particularly in this economy. Stressful environment, long hours, heavy workload and supervisors who have no business being supervisors.

Displaced Legal Professional said: Jess cannot take all of his paralegal courses online.

Forgive me, Jess. I didn't realize you are female.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: As long as one has the aptitude for court reporting. It appears to be hard to learn. According to your very informative comments on other fora, Mary, some people spend years and tons of money trying to learn it.

I agree with Cindy about not paying money for paralegal. It's not worth it. Law is a lousy industry in which to work. Paralegal jobs are hard to get, especially for entry paralegals, and particularly in this economy. Stressful environment, long hours, heavy workload and supervisors who have no business being supervisors.

It was a good profession to get into , at one point in time,
Times have changed. It is not the profession to get into.

I was looking online at a campus called South University. They claim to be ABA approved and also have most classes online and only 4 classes taken at another school with the credits transfered to them. In addition the cost of this school Per 4-credit course ($361 per credit hour)
Associate of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies - 104 Credits Total
Students pursuing the Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies are required
to take a total of 26 courses as follows:

■15 foundation courses - 60 credits
■11 major courses - 44 credits

All courses are 4 quarter credits in length.

Is this a good school or do you know of a better/ more affordable school in the vicinity of Tampa?

In the vicinity of Tampa - go to St. Pete College in Clearwater. It is ABA approved. I went there. The credits are like $75.00 per credit. And they do have a lot of online classes.

look up St. Petersburg College, then look for legal assisting

Hello Mary,
I called this school today and they didn't mention any classes online were these for the paralegal program? I spoke with a Demers and she gave me the impression that there was no online classes? Also said the classes would be Monday - Thursday from 7pm through 9:40pm.

How did you like the classes? What positive / negative have you experienced over there?

I understand also that the classes start on January 5th. Would online classes on this date too? Do you think...

Thank you so much! Have you graduated yet? Was it easy to find work?

Andi

Yes, the classes are M - Th from 7 - 9:40. That means that's when the classes are OFFERED. You could take two classes and only have to come two days a week. There are some online classes. A lot of the core classes are online.

The classes are from 7:00 at night because they are taught by professionals. Susan teaches the paralegal internship class. Attorneys teach the other classes.

I was only in the program for three terms because I was already completing my Bachelor's Degree (one class left) and I had also been in the legal field for 20 years.

St. Pete has a very good program and the price is fair. I didn't have anything negative about the program - but others did. They had a problem because if you do not get done in five years, then you get "bumped into" the course requirements at that time period. Which means you're there five years. At the time you started you had to take X classes. Then some time later X more classes were required. You do not have to take those new classes. But if you're not done in five years, then you do.

I would suggest you start out with all the basic core classes. Take one paralegal course each term. With the program, you have to pick three specialities. I took litigation, corporations and real estate.

Let me see if I can find the link. Then go to the link. You can check out the whole program, what classes are required and when they are offered.

Here's the website. It has all the info. It's called Paralegal Studies now.

www.spcollege.edu/clw/business/paralegal/index.htm