ABA-Approved Paralegal Programs Online: School Reviewing
Are you interested in the legal profession but don’t necessarily want to become an attorney? Then a paralegal career may be a great choice for you. Of course, to reach this goal you’ll need the right training. Earning a certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree from an accredited school is the first step to becoming a paralegal. The American Bar Association is a third-party organization that provides schools with this accreditation, with ABA-approved paralegal programs going through a rigorous process that ensures students are most likely to obtain a high-quality education delivered by knowledgeable legal experts.
Use STEPS’ recommendations below to learn more about the best online paralegal programs accredited by the ABA and the coursework you may encounter if you enroll.
Accredited Paralegal Certificates Online
Paralegal certificate programs offer several benefits over paralegal degree programs, often including lower costs and a shorter time commitment. Achieving a paralegal certificate should prep you for entry-level work within a law firm or for a similar legal role, as well as roles that frequently interact with the legal system, such as those in social work. A paralegal certificate may be paired with another more advanced degree. Both graduate and undergraduate paralegal certificate programs are an option, with graduate-level programs requiring you to already have a bachelor’s degree or similar education.
George Washington University
George Washington University’s ABA-approved paralegal program includes the option of obtaining a graduate certificate in paralegal studies. Since the university also offers a master’s degree in paralegal studies, you can apply the 18 credits you’ll earn during the course of pursuing your graduate certificate toward that 32-credit master’s degree program. You can choose to study online or in-person at campuses in Washington, DC, or Alexandria, Virginia. The online option requires nine credits of synchronous instruction, which means you’ll have to attend live classes at certain times of day or days of the week, vs. completing all coursework on your own time.
Duration: Two to three semesters
Mode: Online or in-person
Cost: $24,300
Core Curriculum:
- American Jurisprudence
- Legal Research and Writing
- Litigation
- Contracts
- Advanced Legal Writing
- Business Entities
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Paralegal Associate’s Degrees: Online & Accredited
Programs offering an associate’s degree in paralegal studies are similarly quick and are the most popular path toward an entry-level career as a paralegal or legal assistant. Paralegal associate’s degree credits can often be applied to future related bachelor’s degree programs, but a well-chosen and accredited program should equip you to enter the workforce with all the knowledge you need to complete day-to-day paralegal tasks, such as legal document prep and legal research.
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University’s Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies degree program provides both on-campus and online learning options. You’ll need 64 credit hours to graduate at Eastern Kentucky University, which offers a unique perk to all its students—free textbooks. After achieving your associate’s degree, you can either move on to pursue a bachelor’s degree or enter the workforce as an entry-level paralegal. Not 100% sold on becoming a paralegal or legal assistant? This degree program also preps you for related jobs such as title examiner or compliance officer. A 280-hour internship is required as part of the program.
Duration: 21 months
Mode: Online or in-person
Cost: $28,352 online, $26,240 in-person
Core Curriculum:
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Research and Writing I and II
- Real Estate Practice
- Litigation: Complaint to Discovery
- Legal Administration and Computer Applications
- Paralegal internship and seminar
Online Accredited Paralegal Bachelor’s Degrees
Of all the paralegal program options, a paralegal bachelor’s degree program is going to be your most time-consuming and expensive option, but it’s also likely going to lead to the most and best job opportunities. A paralegal bachelor’s degree can set you up to eventually attend law school, and more generally it offers a more comprehensive, well-rounded educational experience thanks to the broader coursework required by bachelor’s degree programs.
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University offers a four-year bachelor’s degree in paralegal science that’s delivered entirely online. Not only is the program approved by the ABA, but it’s also a charter member of the American Association for Paralegal Education. That means it has gone through another level of scrutiny to ensure students learn the skills and knowledge needed to enter the workforce, whether they aspire to work at a law firm, bank, government agency, or nonprofit organization. In addition to taking online courses, students can take advantage of the program’s flexible eight-week terms as well as the six start dates offered every year. No matter when students begin the program, they take classes taught by top legal experts who hold PhD or JD degrees and have extensive experience teaching online.
Duration: Four years
Mode: Online or in-person
Cost: $53,160
Core Curriculum:
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Research and Writing I and II
- Real Estate Practice
- Litigation: Complaint to Discovery
- Legal Administration and Computer Applications
- Paralegal internship and seminar
- 12 credit hours degree-specific electives
Why ABA Accreditation Matters
Just as earning an accreditation indicates a school has been validated for its quality, paralegal programs that have been approved by the ABA have gone through a process that ensures they meet the organization’s high standards for academic excellence. As such, you’ll enjoy the following benefits when you enroll in an ABA-accredited paralegal program.
High Curriculum Quality That Meets Employer Needs
Paralegal programs must have a curriculum that reflects the current needs of the legal community and addresses the latest evidence-based information paralegals are required to understand on the job. As the ABA assesses a curriculum, it looks at the program’s goals and objectives and the extent to which those goals and objectives align with what employers need.
Faculty Expertise
ABA-approved programs should have faculty members and program directors who are knowledgeable about the paralegal profession and demonstrate expertise on the latest developments in paralegal education. Also, paralegal program professors and directors must show that they’ve participated in professional development activities to keep abreast of paralegal education trends.
Available Student and Career Services
Programs are required to provide career services to students, which include assistance with resume writing, interviewing, and overall job search skills. Also, schools should provide information on relevant opportunities to help students with their job search.
Likewise,paralegal programs must have a library with print or electronic resources that are relevant to the coursework in the curriculum. Library services should be available during hours convenient for students. ABA-approved paralegal programs should additionally provide students with access to resources that allow them to conduct legal research in the library.
FAQs: Online ABA-Accredited Paralegal Programs
How does a school obtain ABA approval?
To gain ABA approval, a school must be evaluated for its overall quality. This includes a review of the curriculum to ensure that coursework addresses the current needs of employers. Also, the ABA looks at the amenities offered, such as career and library services, which are designed to position students to succeed in the program and beyond. Additionally, schools are evaluated based on the experience of professors, along with their commitment to keeping their legal knowledge current.
Can I complete an ABA-approved paralegal program fully online?
Yes. Whether you’re getting a graduate certificate in paralegal studies like the one offered by George Washington University, or a full bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies like the one you’ll find at Eastern Kentucky University, you can enroll in ABA-approved paralegal programs that are delivered entirely online. However, if you’re interested in a program that combines both online and on-campus coursework, look for a hybrid program.
Can credits from an ABA-approved paralegal program be transferred to other programs?
It depends. In some cases, schools allow a limited number of credits to be transferred from an ABA-approved paralegal program to another program, as is the case at George Washington University, where you can use your certificate credits toward a master’s degree. However, be sure to check the transfer policies for the school you’re interested in to find out exactly what is and isn’t allowed.
Do I need to be certified to work as a paralegal after completing an ABA-approved program?
Although you can get a job without earning a certification, having one boosts your chances. Keep in mind that completing an ABA approved paralegal program doesn’t automatically mean you have a certification, so graduates may still need to earn a certification after graduation. Certifications for paralegals are granted by the NALA – The Paralegal Association and the National Association for Legal Support Professionals.
What are the benefits of attending an ABA-approved paralegal program?
Since ABA paralegal programs go through rigorous evaluation, students can enroll with the confidence that they’re getting the highest quality education based on the curriculum and expertise of instructors. Also, students who graduate from these programs are more attractive to potential employers because they’ve completed studies designed to prepare them specifically for the demands of the workforce.
