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JJ
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| 08/23/2008 01:42 PM |
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| I will be starting paralegal certificate classes at the local community college this fall. I am 42 and financially tight, which is the reason I chose the CC. Will I get a job with this or do I have to go to a ABA accredited college, which is very expensive. What will happen if I move to CA in future ? Please advice, thanks. |
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RhondaG *
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| 08/23/2008 04:50 PM |
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| I would suggest going to the Washington Online Learning Institute, an online paralegal school. It has the highest level of accreditation, just as high as the best colleges and universities, and it is online! It is convenient and the education and career preparation is top notch. |
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MissSukie *
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| 08/25/2008 01:27 AM |
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Forgive me for saying this, but your paralegal certificate will have very little value if your school is not ABA approved, and even if it is, without some legal experience, you can only get a low paying entry level paralegal position. I can't imagine what that would be like as a person in their 40's. If your CC program is not ABA approved, you won't qualify in California to work as a paralegal. I think it's actually a misdemeanor to practice here without being qualified under the Business & Professions Code.
Add to that the fact that it sounds like you'll be getting your paralegal education in one state and then moving for another, so your basic "Civil Procedure" or "Family Law" course won't be teaching you the codes, procedures, and forms your California employer will be looking for. I suppose you could focus on Federal or Bankruptcy. I went to school in my 30's and it wasn't easy with a job, kids, home, but I had worked as a legal assistant for years before that and during school. Sorry to be a downer here but you asked. Good luck to you. |
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debjame *
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| 09/14/2008 02:12 PM |
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There are a lot of community colleges that offer ABA approved certificates. Check this website:
www.aafpe.org
Also, check to see if the school is an acredited member of AAFPE. That means that they are in "substantial compliance" with ABA guidelines. A lot of schools do not pursue ABA accreditation because of cost and time factors.
A community college is an accredited school. You want to watch out for schools that are unacredited "fly by nights."
Currently, there are no "online" only schools that have ABA accreditation. What is your background? Lots of times a law firm will be very interested (depending on the type of practice) if you bring to the table financial, computer, or medical expertise.
My background when I entered the field was medical. I'd worked as a medical claims processor, laboratory technician, and had some nurse's training. This is invaluable experience for personal injury, medical malpractice, and insurance bad faith firms. |
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lseidman
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| 09/16/2008 02:46 PM |
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I would recommend getting a degree versus a certificate. Several community colleges offer an A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies, and I know of at least one university offering an online BTech in Legal Studies. (SUNY at Canton) These are excellent programs, and in my experience, a degree will be viewed with much more weight than a certificate. Although SUNY Canton's degree can be done entirely through distance learning, there is no distinction made on your diploma, and no way really to know if the courses were taken in the class room or online.
L.
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Sexy Para... *
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| 09/16/2008 08:47 PM |
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True Iseidman,
A degree would be the way to go... The school I attended required that you have 60 college credits (hours) which is what about an AA degree in order to apply or take the entrance exam (which was pass or fail).
Good Luck!! |
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