ABA Approved Online Paralegal School

Currently, in the United States, it is not strictly necessary to have any specific qualification to work as a paralegal (or a legal assistant, this being an alternative name for the role). Such a qualification, however, can give a candidate a competitive edge in finding a job since it is a clear indication of both commitment and ability, and it can also enable a jobholder to be more effective in their work owing to the knowledge acquired and the techniques learnt on the course. In fact, some firms insist that all their employees should be qualified in this way.

Given that qualification itself is not essential for entry into the field, it follows that there are no absolute requirements for a program which purports to prepare the entrant. This having been said, the American Bar Association (ABA) in its role as the United States’ major provider of law accreditation, has come to be seen as an arbiter whose approval and acceptance indicate a certain standard of excellence.

The ABA is essentially an old-fashioned organization which believes in traditional modes of learning. It has come to recognize the value of online learning, and has approved some online courses in ABA approved degree programs, but it has yet to accept any course which is taught entirely online. A student who searches for an ABA approved paralegal course that is truly online is therefore doomed to disappointment and frustration.

If a student has some flexibility in their requirements and distance learning is not their only option, then a compromise program consisting of some online and some traditional elements may be feasible. In fact it may even be the best choice. In this case, pursuing an ABA ratified paralegal program is a possibility.

 It is a relatively simple matter to find out what ABA accredited paralegal schools are available. The Standing Committee of the American Bar Association maintains, on its website, a directory of such schools and courses, and also a separate directory of individual online classes.

The role of the ABA’s Standing Committee is to approve an individual curriculum, which involves checking the quality of its education and making sure that certain requirements are met. It does not, however, formally evaluate any courses or classes, or provide a comparative rating system.

An ABA approved paralegal qualification may, in many cases, prove to be a career advantage. For example, members of the International Paralegal Management Association (IPMA) admit to looking more favorably on job applicants with ABA approved qualifications. The State Bar Associations and Paralegal Organizations of some states, notably Colorado, Wisconsin and Nevada, acknowledge a preference for the ABA approved programs. In addition, some law firms regard the ABA approved educational route as being the most suitable for candidates seeking higher, more lucrative positions as they rise up the ranks.