Top 3 Paralegal On-line/distance Education Schools ?

Can somebody tell the CRITERIA for deciding the top 3 on-line or distance education PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT schools ?

Can I suggest : 1) percentage of graduates hired after 6 months; 2) lawyers' opinion 3) ABA approved ?

Your opinion ?

 

1) ABA approved
2) Regionally accredited
3) Real, transferable credits (not vocational units)

Tony

 

Legal Assisting & Paralegal Studies Degrees


Kaplan College

Kaplan College School of Paralegal Studies offers the following online degree and certificate programs in Paralegal Studies:

Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies

This degree program provides the student with a solid foundation in the law and paralegal skills, built upon a broad liberal arts knowledge base. Graduates of this program may pursue career opportunities or job advancement in a legal environment such as a private law firm, corporate law department, or local, state or federal agency where duties may include assisting with litigation preparation, document supervision, aiding attorneys in courtroom proceedings, and researching legal issues. Kaplan College offers three emphasis areas in the Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies program: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Office Management, and Personal Injury. 2+2 Option for the Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies. This innovative program combines the career-oriented focus of a two-year degree with the academic curriculum of a four-year program, offering you the flexibility of joining the workforce while pursuing your lifelong goals. This bachelor's program prepares you for advancement in paralegal studies with the knowledge, communication skills, critical thinking, and technical competencies required in the modern workplace. Kaplan College offers three emphasis areas in the Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies program: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Office Management, and Personal Injury.

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies

This program provides the student with a solid foundation in paralegal studies and a liberal arts knowledge base. Comprehensive study in areas such as legal research, civil litigation, contracts, and criminal law prepares the student for diverse career opportunities.

Pathway to Paralegal Certificate

The Pathway to Paralegal Certificate is a valuable stepping stone toward your professional goals. This program helps you increase your knowledge of the paralegal profession and provides an overall understanding of the American legal system. Students will study the civil litigation process, including fact gathering and investigation, case management and strategy, pleadings, motions, trial preparations, trial procedures, and post-trial procedures.

Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

 

Keiser College

Keiser College eCampus is a full online campus offering fully online associate degree programs where students interact with their instructor and each other using advanced technology. Keiser College offers the following online paralegal degree program:

Associate of Arts Degree - Paralegal

Keiser College has developed a Paralegal program that trains students to handle most of the challenging tasks formerly handled solely by lawyers. A Paralegal, sometimes called Legal Assistant or Lawyer's Assistant, is supervised by an attorney and assists attorneys with legal research, drafts documents and motions which are filed in court, interviews clients and witnesses, manages cases, and is involved in the gathering of evidence and the litigation procedure. Paralegals are also often involved in trial assistance and other dispute resolution processes, as well as with the preparation of real estate documents, probate, contracts, corporate matters and law office investigation. Short of advising clients, making legal decisions, and representing clients in a court of law

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

 

American Public University
The American Public University offers an Associate of Arts in General Studies with a concentration in Paralegal Studies through distance learning. Accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council.

Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University offers an online Graduate Certificate in Legal Administration. Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Florida International University
Florida International University offers an online Paralegal Certificate Program. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Los Angeles Mission College
The Paralegal Studies Program at Mission College provides law classes in an entirely online delivery format. Studies include Contracts, Civil Litigation, Torts, Probate, Property, Evidence, Legal Writing, Legal Research, Wills and Trusts and Family Law. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

 

Peirce College
Peirce College offers American Bar Association approved programs leading to associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and post-bachelor's certificates in Paralegal Studies. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is a Catholic college dedicated to educating women personally and professionally. Certificate, bachelor and master's degree programs are offered in the Women's External Degree Program via guided independent study. Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Teikyo Post University Online
Teikyo Post University offers online paralegal programs that consist of a two-year associate's degree, a four-year bachelor's degree or a certificate, and include general courses on the law and legal research techniques; courses covering specialized areas of the law such as real estate, estate planning and probate, litigation, family law, contracts and criminal law, as well as courses introducing students to the legal applications of computers. The University is licensed by the State of Connecticut and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

 

Tompkins Cortland Community College
Tompkins Cortland Community College’s Internet College offers online degree programs, courses, and workshops. The Internet College offers this asynchronous online paralegal program:

A.A.S. Paralegal Degree
The Paralegal program provides the course work and experience to prepare you for employment as a paralegal or legal assistant. You will get a basic orientation and academic exposure to a variety of subjects, including legal research and drafting, civil litigation, real estate law, wills and estate planning, family law, and legal ethics. You will complete an internship in a law office. There are also elective courses in Criminal Law and Procedure and Bankruptcy, Foreclosures, and Collections.
Accredited by the New York State Education Department and the Middle States Association.


University of Florida
The University of Florida offers by correspondence a Legal Assistant Certificate. The program is designed to introduce you to the law and to teach specific skills that are important in the delivery of legal services to the public. After you have completed the course, you will be prepared for an entry-level position in a law firm or in an organization such as a bank, corporation, or law enforcement agency. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

 

University of Northwestern Ohio
University of Northwestern Ohio offers the following online legal programs through distance education:

AAS - Legal Administrative Assistant - Word Processing Option
AAS - Legal Administrative Assistant - Notehand Option
AAS - Legal Assisting
Diploma - Paralegal
Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

 

Paralegal/Legal Assistant criteria

An embarassment of RICHES !
Thank you Cyrus and Tony.

 

I thought I had heard that the ABA won't approve any program that is 100% online... can anyone verify this or see if this has changed?

 

ABA won't accredit any J.D. program that is wholly or largely on-line. I don't know about paralegal programs. The ABA website is www.abanet.org

 

Look for the Standing Committee on Paralegals. I don't see anything in the standards saying a program CAN'T be 100% on-line but I didn't look very carefully.

As an aside, the New Mexico State Bar Association has a paralegal division. Paralegals who are accepted become associate members of the Bar Association, a recognition that is LONG overdue, IMHO.