"HEADS UP! Read This If You Don't Want Your Money
Going Into the Wrong Hands"
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The main benefits of online paralegal programs include:
- No campus attendance
- No commuting
- No deadline
- Open-book/open notes examination
- Enroll any time anywhere
- Affordable interest-free tuition
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Are These The Only Things You're Looking For?
You also need to consider the traditional factors. These determine the success or failure of your future.
Let's begin with the 7 common mistakes potential students make!
Ignore The Reputation Of The Institution And The Paralegal Program
In this case, a picture IS NOT worth than a 1,000 words. This is misleading especially in the online advertisement. So, stay away from how the institution promotes the paralegal programs. Your decision should be based on facts.
You can rely on the public and the legal community. If they do not hold the program in high regard, you should be suspicious. That's why you should always check with people you know in the community, legal field, and other institutions for more information first.
A reliable institution and paralegal program usually have these traits -
- The institution is approved by American Bar Association (ABA)
- ABA-approved institutions usually offer Associate of Applied Science, Post Degree Certificate, and Bachelor of Science degree on Paralegal Studies.
- The minimum duration of ABA-accredited course is 1 to 2 academic years. And internship is mandatory.
- The institution should be listed in the Standing Committee on Paralegals Directory of ABA approved Paralegal Education Programs.
- The institution should be a member of the American Association for Paralegal education (AAfPE).
- It should also be a member of at least one of the 3 national regulatory bodies for paralegal study, namely - the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), and the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAPI).
- The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools should accredit it. Your potential employers will know that you graduated from an accredited institution.
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NOTE: ABA approval for paralegal institutions and programs is not mandatory by law. It is not a measurement of the quality or reputation of the institution. However, voluntarily subjecting to an ABA evaluation is a sign of professionalism and authenticity. Therefore, it is better to pick ABA-approved institution and course. |
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Extra tips!
If you have taken classes in a traditional institution before, you should be able to transfer some or all of your credits towards your online degree course. If the online institution refuses, it may be a sign that it isn't a reputable one.
Skip The Detail Of Services Offer To Students
Here's the mind trap in many potential students -
They have limited budgets. So they turn to online paralegal courses that are generally cheaper. They want to get a degree fast. The cheaper the course the better. Most likely, they would overlook the need for other vital services. As long as they could get the paper degree, it is acceptable to them. Case closed.
Now, be careful. What you see is what you get. BUT you may not be able to get it. OR you may get the wrong stuff. Instead of saving money, you may end up wasting it.
Online paralegal education is still in its infancy. The black sheep are out there ready to abuse this growing market in the cyberspace.
Therefore, be prudent. An online paralegal course should also offer -
- Orientation
- Tutoring
- Academic counseling
- Financial aid -- Be careful if you're being push into student loan instead of a Pell Grant. Avoid it!
- Career information and counseling
- Job placement assistance
Plus.
Information on the placement rate and job satisfaction of graduates should also be available to you. After all, the quality of the course depends on the success of job placement.
Extra tips!
Ask these questions before enrolling.
- Does the institution or course have a high graduation rate?
- Does it have the reputation of giving graduates the skills to compete effectively in the market?
Never Ask About The Facilities Available
A properly furnished online paralegal school SHOULD have these online facilities -
- Online legal research library
- E-classrooms with video and audio
- E-mail support from tutors
- E-textbooks
- E-fieldwork
- Chat rooms
- Synchronous and asynchronous discussion groups
- Alternative features to accommodate students with disabilities according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
Do Not Know The Activities Available To Students
Course internship is extremely important. In online world, it is still possible to let students participate in activities with honor societies, and work in the legal community. This is can achieved purely on the Internet.
Beside this, information on paralegal association and further paralegal education should be available.
Overlook The Mission Of The Institution And The Goals Of The Paralegal Course
First thing first, always check the mission statement of the Institution.
Some offer courses for the purpose of training students to become a legal secretary. In these instances, the subject of law is not covered in depth. If you intend to acquire the skills of both a paralegal and an attorney, this institution is not for you.
Even if the paralegal course teaches law, it may not be in your area of interest. For example, you may have an ambition to excel in the insurance industry as a paralegal. You may need to learn more in corporate law. It would be useless if the course only teaches you general domestic law, or some area of the law that is not related.
Don't Bother The Content Of The Curriculum
Curriculum usually follows the ABA guidelines. A paralegal graduate should be able to do at least the following things for a lawyer -
- Legal research
- Document preparation
- Client interview
- Drafting of legal documents
An ABA-approved course usually includes pre-law specialization. Because some students may want to enroll law school later.
In some courses, students may learn something about criminal defense, bankruptcy, corporate law, or public policy.
The students should also be developed in the following areas so that they could work better with lawyers -
- Critical thinking
- Communication skills
- Computer skills
- Organizational skills
- Competency in handling ethical issues
Any paralegal course should teach code ethics. If it doesn't touch this subject, avoid it at all cost. That's because code ethics help you to work as a paralegal without breaking the law.
Last but not the least, an experiential learning opportunity on the Internet such as internship, practicum, or clinical experience, should be included.
Are you ignoring these?
Close Their Eyes To Shady Graduation Requirements
Quality paralegal institutes and courses always imposed strict requirements. Nothing can be compromised.
If you see an online school that openly accepts Tom, Dick, or Harry as student - RUN! Most possibly, it has no accreditation with ABA .
Because of ABA 's standard, many real paralegal institutions require students to take both paralegal and general education courses. If you've already completed general education, then it isn't necessary.
Some stricter institutions require work experience prior to enrollment. Some even requires a high-school diploma.
The only way to know the criteria is to check with ABA 's Standing Committee Directory. You'll know the admission requirements for all ABA-approved institutions.
Again, following ABA 's guidelines is not a mandate by law.
Here's the conclusion.
Online paralegal training institutions are just like their offline counterparts. Part of your success depends on the quality of it. If you want to invest in your future, you must avoid those 7 mistakes. Always do your homework before signing up an online paralegal course.
