Because of ABA requirements, students who
wish to complete a paralegal program must normally choose a program that
is hybrid or fully traditional. Additionally, most paralegal programs
are not designed for flexible scheduling or continuing education.
How to Decide On an Online Paralegal School
It is not possible for a fully-online paralegal program to meet
American Bar Association standards because the ABA has required that in
order to gain approval, schools must require students to complete at
least ten semester hours of legal specialty courses in a traditional
classroom environment. This means that all ABA-approved paralegal
programs must be hybrid or fully-traditional programs.
Depending on their current education level, students can choose
between an associate degree program and a postgraduate certificate
programs. For students who already hold bachelor's degrees, certificate
programs provide the quickest route to a paralegal career. Associate
programs, which include a general-education component, are more
appropriate for high-school graduates or GED holders. Graduates of
associate programs have the option of transferring their credits to a
bachelor's program for further study.
In choosing an online paralegal program, students should also be
aware that unlike most online or hybrid programs in other disciplines,
many paralegal programs are not designed for flexibility in hours or
assignment deadlines. Most paralegal programs require students to turn
in assignments on a regular basis and often to attend lectures and
discussions at scheduled times via webcam, using a headset and
microphone for voice communication. Some programs allow for more
flexibility than others, and students should choose a program that fits
their specific needs.
Online Paralegal Program Options
An associate program is designed for students who wish to do legal
work, usually under the direction of a lawyer. Usually, an associate
degree program is designed for students with a high school education who
wish to enter into a career as a paralegal professional. Associate
degrees in paralegal studies may normally be completed in two years, but
more accelerated programs may be available. Classes are often in areas
such as
law and contracts, criminal justice, trials and litigation, probation and legal research.
Postgraduate Paralegal Certificate
A postgraduate paralegal certificate is for students who already have
a bachelor's degree or in some cases an associate degree. A
postgraduate certificate is usually designed to take at least 18 months,
but completion times may vary depending on the institution and how
accelerated students wish to make their education programs.
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