ABA Approved course of paralegal study

Why is it important to go to an ABA Approved course of paralegal study? If you are interested, follow along to learn more! When you are deciding on a future career, it’s important to know that you are obtaining the maximum quality of education and training. You don’t want to decide on a career as a paralegal, only to attend an unapproved college whose references will be useless in the real world.

Unfortunately, this very scenario has ruined the careers of many potential paralegals. So how can you be sure that you are really getting an education that will count for something in the world outside of your school years?

Should Your Paralegal School Be ABA Approved?

If you have decided on a career as a paralegal, it is very important to be absolutely sure that the school you attend for your training and certification is ABA (American Bar Association) approved. Life is too short, and your window of opportunity too narrow, to waste valuable time, effort, and money on frauds and fakes.

The American Bar Association is the agency which reviews all programs which lead to certification as an attorney or paralegal. Without this official certification, your potential career in the legal industry is as good as dead.

It is extremely important that you attend a school which has this official ABA approval. Schools which are ABA approved have a legitimacy and standing which no other schools can obtain. ABA approved schools provide future paralegals and attorneys with a fully comprehensive legal education which meets the standards which have been laid down by the state and federal justice systems.

Graduating in good standing from an ABA approved school means that you will be immediately eligible to sit for the bar exam in your state, or obtain work immediately as a paralegal, or in some related position. In other words, your ABA certification is your ticket to employment, without which you will have none.

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Is There A Major Difference Between An ABA-approved And A Non-ABA Approved School?

A natural question for prospective paralegals who may be on a somewhat restricted budget is whether there really is a major difference between an ABA approved school and a non-ABA approved one. In a nutshell, the answer is a resounding yes.

For one thing, ABA standards for the approval of law schools mandate that all students that attend an ABA approved law school will receive a solidly up to date curriculum of legal education. The ABA works to ensure a standardized educational experience which meets the expected norms no matter where you studying.

Conversely, those schools which are not approved by the ABA are free not to comply with these or any standards whatsoever. They are free to devise their own curriculum of “education” which can easily include out of date or even fictitious information. The trade off is that these schools will not qualify for ABA approval, and thus will not receive its backing.

What is The Ultimate Distinction?

Every state in the USA recognizes that a student who has graduated from an ABA approved law school has satisfied the criteria for becoming an officially certified attorney or paralegal. In some states, potential lawyers or paralegals do not gain the right to sit for the state bar examination unless and until they have shown proof of obtaining a degree from an ABA approved institution.

The meaning of this information for future attorneys and paralegals is clear. If you choose to waste your time, energy, and money at a school which does not have official ABA backing, you are simply wasting your time. Be very careful when you choose a school for your paralegal training, and be sure that this school has ABA backing.

ABA-Approved Paralegal Programs:

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Extension
- Program: Paralegal Training Program
- Notable Feature: Established in 1972, this program is one of the first of its kind in the U.S., offering a comprehensive curriculum taught by experienced legal professionals.
Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies
- Program: Paralegal Studies Program
- Notable Feature: Located in Washington, D.C., this program provides students with access to a vast network of legal resources and professionals, enhancing learning and career opportunities.
Loyola University Chicago
- Program: Paralegal Studies Certificate & BA in Paralegal Studies
- Notable Feature: One of the few ABA-approved bachelor’s programs, with strong job placement rates and connections to major law firms.

Non-ABA-Approved Paralegal Programs:

While specific rankings for non-ABA-approved programs are less formalized, the following institutions are recognized for their quality paralegal education:

Abraham Lincoln University
- Program: Paralegal Studies Program
- Notable Feature: Offers flexible online courses tailored for working professionals, focusing on practical skills and legal knowledge.
Sam Houston State University
- Program: Paralegal Studies Certificate
- Notable Feature: Part of the newly launched SamPoly, this program aims to address workforce shortages with primarily online courses in paralegal studies.
University of California, Irvine (UCI) Extension
- Program: Paralegal Certificate Program
- Notable Feature: Provides a comprehensive curriculum with evening and weekend classes, catering to adult learners and working professionals.