Online Paralegal Schools for Training and Degrees
According to the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAPE), formal paralegal training is becoming increasingly important for professionals seeking employment in this field. Although there are several hundred paralegal programs in the United States, there are no national standards for paralegal education. It is important for you to evaluate the quality of the programs you are considering before choosing a school.
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Education Options
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Online paralegal schools offer certificate, associate and bachelor's degree programs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a very limited number of universities offer master's degrees in paralegal studies. The most common route to becoming a paralegal is the associate degree. Online associate programs range in length from 15 months to two years. Bachelor's programs take three to four years to complete. Students already holding bachelor's degrees often choose paralegal certificate programs.
Choosing a Program
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According to AAPE, the paralegal studies curriculum should cover legal research and writing, litigation, contracts, business organizations, ethics and torts. Paralegal studies programs should develop the student's communication, computational, computer, critical thinking and organization skills as well as their ability to deal with ethical issues. Clinical experience, an internship or practicum should also be included as part of the program. Online paralegal schools and degree programs should offer all of these components. You may also want to examine schools that offer job placement assistance.
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Accreditation
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The American Bar Association (ABA), state and local bar associations and independent accrediting bodies grant accreditation to paralegal schools. The ABA, according to All Criminal Justice Schools, does not accredit distance or online paralegal programs. Online programs receive accreditation either through local or state bars, or through other independent accrediting bodies. Accreditation is a voluntary, lengthy, and expensive process for schools to undertake. As of 2011, only 260 paralegal programs in the United States were ABA-accredited. A lack of accreditation does not indicate lack of quality. Schools often choose not to seek accreditation, yet still adhere to ABA standards.
Tuition
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Tuition will vary among online schools and educational institutions. Most online paralegal schools offer a variety of financing and payment options. Financing options with online schools may include monthly, quarterly, semester or annual payments. Tuition for a certificate program varies widely among schools. It may be as low as $5,000 or in excess of $10,000. Degree programs are considerably more expensive. As of March 2011, tuition for an associate degree in paralegal studies on a 12-month payment plan at National Paralegal School was $13,272. The bachelor's program with the same payment plan was $23,988.
Financial Aid
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Federal financial aid is available for eligible students enrolled in qualifying, accredited educational institutions. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility and amount of assistance available. According to Capital University Law School, students enrolled in a certificate program are only eligible for the Federal Stafford Loan Program. Federally backed Stafford Loans are low-interest loans that do not require a credit check to obtain funding. However, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, national or eligible non-citizen and must not be in default on a federal student loan. Federal and state grants may not be available for postbaccalaureate students. Military financial aid may also be available for qualifying individuals. Students may also choose to apply for commercial loans to pay for their education.
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References
- American Association of Paralegal Education: Evaluating Paralegal Programs
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11 Edition, Paralegal and Legal Assistants
- National Paralegal College: Tuition and Fees
- Capital University Law School: Paralegal and Certificate Programs, Tuition and Financial Aid
- All Criminal Justice Schools: Paralegal Accreditation Is Granted to the Best Paralegal Schools
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
