Does it really matter if I get my Paralegal Certificate from an ABA approved school?
Or is it all the same if I get it online? I know a person doesn't have to have a certificate , but I know it helps. Therefore, I am wondering if it is worth the extra bucks and commute time to go through an ABA approved paralegal program or if getting the certificate is just as good if it was done online at some random school.
Answers:
Most jobs would prefer it, and the education is definitely better.
An ABA-approved program is most definitely not the same as getting it at any old school or online -- mostly because (in California, at least) an ABA-approved program requires a bachelor's degree first, and the certificate is graduate-level. That's definitely not the same as the junior college paralegal certificate or something you can get online, which barely covers anything.
I'm a paralegal from an ABA-certified program, and it's definitely worth the extra money. I also know because I was handling new hires for the last firm I worked for, and one lady who had gotten her paralegal degree at some junior college didn't even know what a resume was or how to submit one. I can't imagine what kind of legal knowledge they gave her if they couldn't teach her that.
I think its worth it to go to an ABA approved school. Check out the community college in your area to save on money. I dont know where you live but i know in the Philadelphia area there is Peirce that is ABA approved and most of the classes are avalable on line. There might be others.
I think on-line colleges are a joke. I'm the guy who hires at my law firm. Do you still think that on-line degree is worth the money you could pay for it?
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