Aba paralegal programs

Schools seeking ABA approval for their paralegal programs must complete an exhaustive series of self-evaluation reports to ensure they operate in compliance with ABA Guidelines. Once they successfully complete the evaluation process, they are approved for a period of seven years. After this period, the school must go through the approval process again. Even before a school can apply to gain ABA-approval for their paralegal program, the program must have been in place for at least two years so there is a record of students having successfully graduated.

Schools must also provide the ABA Approval Committee with a detailed list of their curriculum, including their legal specialty coursework. This means an approved program must not only meet specific curriculum guidelines, but its faculty must meet the high standards of the ABA, as well.

Once the ABA Approval Committee determines that the program has met the minimum criteria for approval, they schedule an on-site evaluation of the paralegal department, as well as the entire institution. If you choose a program that has been ABA-approved, you will be guaranteed several perks.

For example, each program must operate under an advisory committee that includes practicing lawyers and paralegals from the public and private sector. ABA-approved programs must also be structured to allow students to go on to achieve higher levels of education. The ABA even encourages schools to enter into articulation agreements with other schools to help students more seamlessly continue their education.

When it comes to legal specialty courses, ABA-approved programs must also meet specific requirements. Courses like legal research, litigation, and legal writing are all considered legal specialty courses if they emphasize practical paralegal skills.

Other courses encouraged include business classes, computer technology courses, and field experiences in the form of internships. Internships offered through ABA-approved programs must meet clearly defined requirements and must ensure ongoing communication between the student and the field experience supervisor.

As part of an ABA-approved program, you will also be guaranteed comprehensive student services, including counseling and advisement. Some of the services that must be offered as part of an ABA-approved program include:.

This is because some employers in larger metropolitan areas require paralegals to possess a degree from an ABA-approved program, while in other parts of the country there is little mention of ABA approval. You will also find that some state paralegal associations go as far as to recommend that employers give preference to paralegal candidates who hold a degree or certificate from an ABA-approved program.

The ABA does not approve undergraduate certificate programs and online paralegal programs, though these programs certainly have their place. For example, in certain parts of the country, an undergraduate paralegal certificate may be the standard credential for entry-level employment, so it might not make much sense to pursue a longer and possibly more expensive course of education.

Many respected institutions offer quality paralegal programs via interactive, online platforms, allowing working students like you to study on your own time. A number of online programs in paralegal studies are also self-paced, allowing you to complete the course requirements as your schedule permits.

You may also reside in a part of the country where there are no paralegal programs—ABA-approved or otherwise. An online paralegal program may be the only viable option for you, allowing you to pursue the profession regardless of your geographic location.

Institutional accreditation through one of these regional accrediting agencies is the long-held standard for determining the quality of a school:.

If a school has been accredited, you can be confident that it has met high standards in terms of faculty, curriculum, and the programs it offers. ABA-approval, on the other hand, applies only to the paralegal program , rather than being a school-wide accreditation. Since ABA-approved programs will inevitably be housed in quality schools that hold regional accreditation, you can think of ABA-approval as a second layer of assurance.

There are a few characteristics that are constant among quality paralegal programs, whether or not they hold ABA approval:. Does it offer a flexible curriculum, with opportunities for practical, on-the-job experiences? Does it offer the online, accelerated, or hybrid format you need? Pelfrey Telephone: Ronald Ron E. Frazier Telephone: Knudsen Telephone Waters Telephone Hauert Telephone: Marks, MCC Telephone: Telephone: Telephone: Fax: www. Greenberg Telephone: Barnes Telephone: Ellis Telephone: Additional Location: Wilshire Blvd.

Tardiff Telephone: Vargas Telephone: Classes include everything from legal writing and law office procedures, to ethics and civil litigation, among others.

The credit degree program covers a slew of necessary information, including:. In some cases, students will be required to complete at least 16 quarter hours of credit in a traditional classroom setting. EKU offers an accelerated, credit hour paralegal program which can be completed entirely online.

It is ABA approved. The degree program blends academic and professional preparation through courses on:. This eight-month program provides students with a solid basic knowledge of legal terminology and procedural law, plus the skills to draft legal documents and research facts of a case.

At the end of the program, students may take part in a hour externship at a local business or organization. A Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies is also offered. Regardless of the path a student chooses, coursework includes:. Each certificate consists of 22 units, with the exception of the dual litigation and corporate practice certificate, which consists of 28 units. The entire paralegal studies certificate from Loyola University Chicago can be completed online.

In either case, students are prepared for a career as a paralegal by completing coursework in subjects such as:. Students will have courses in human services, behavior analysis, assessment and intervention strategies, substance abuse, and social work in addition to legal studies such as family law, wills, trusts, and estates, and civil litigation. Founded in as a seminary, Clarion University became a college-level, state-run institution in As part of that mission, Clarion has more program accreditations than any other college in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, ensuring that professional students get the highest level of quality in their instruction, including their ABA approved paralegal programs.

Courses include a mix of general education such as accounting, business analysis, introduction to computers, introduction to public speaking, and degree courses such as contracts, legal ethics, criminal procedures, civil litigation, trial preparation, and family law.

As a part of the curriculum, students are required to complete a hour paralegal internship with a law firm, government agency or corporation. The internships provide students with valuable practical experience to work as a paralegal. Faculty all hold Juris Doctorate J. Eastern Kentucky University dates back to , to the founding of a small college that was bought out by the state to form a teacher training school.

While it may still only be categorized as a regional university, EKU has earned a reputation in recent years as one of the best regional universities in the South, especially for its online programs. Paralegal courses are offered in the evenings and online, with general education courses additionally offered during the day. Paralegal students at Clayton State University can study for a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor degree, with credits earned in each eligible to apply to the next step up.

Regularly ranked as a top regional university and a best value by sources like U. News and World Report, Clayton State prides itself on small class sizes with personalized attention, outstanding faculty, and affordable career preparation.

Students will learn the foundations of law and gain professional and ethical skills to write depositions and other legal documents. The University of North Georgia is a new member of the University System of Georgia made from the merger of two very old institutions dating back to and Total enrollment is close to 20,, and the Mike Cottrell College of Business enrolls 20 percent of the total incoming students.

Convenience and flexibility — With day and evening classes you have the flexibility to work as you earn your degree. Career professionals as instructors — With current and relevant curricula, you will learn from instructors with real-world field experience who will guide and mentor you.

Career services — Our career services team starts to help you before you graduate with your resume, cover letters, interviewing techniques and how to search for great career opportunities. Term starting soon! Speak with Admissions : Program Brochure — Click crossed arrows icon to expand Please wait while flipbook is loading. Request Information. Exact matches only. Search in title. Search in content. Search in excerpt. ESL for Working Professionals. First Name required.