Paralegal/Legal Assistant Training?

I would like the opinions of those in the legal community on the following:

My current job responsibilities include reviewing statements-of-work, teaming agreements, proposals, etc.

I have wanted to go to law school for just about as long as I can remember, but at 40-something, I am not willing to drop out of the workplace for 3 years, and the only other option is night classes with a 90-mile commute each way (which I might be willing to do). The distance learning law schools in CA aren't really a viable option. Too hard to get to the bar in my state via that route.

I am considering getting paralegal/legal assistant training (distance learning) and taking the certified legal assistant exam through NALA. This would accomplish a couple of things. First, it would serve as a risk reduction by exposing me to legal training without the larger expenses of law school (time and money). Second, the certification would still be a good pet to have in combination with my MBA, especially with my current career path.

I could then decide if the commute to the law school is really worth the time and money.

Kevin

 

I have some interest in law myself, but I don't know if I am commited enough to do 3-4 years of study in order to become a JD.

It seems like an interesting way to dip your toe in to see if you like it.


As an aside, I am seriously looking at UNA for my MBA. What can you tell me about the course material?

Are the test proctored? I really don't want to go through the trouble of scheduling proctors with my busy life.

Please share your experience with UNA.

 

I recommend UNA without reservation.

Few of the classes required proctors, and those that did, I was able to arrange with my training department at work. I heard rumors that all would require proctoring, but that has not happened as of recently.

Nearly all required interaction on the discussion boards in a timely manner (usually within a week).

Tests differed between classes. Some were online and timed. Some were offline and submitted in Word, Excel, scanned pdf, etc.

Several classes required significant papers.

Some classes required team projects, but most did not. (I have a suggestion on picking team members in that environment.)

I kept several of the required texts for reference (an indication of their utility).

The information in finance and marketing classes have either saved or made me enough money to pay for the tuition. (Evaluating investments, developing successful marketing plans, etc.)

DVD quality and content was acceptable. Good enough to watch while I walked on the treadmill, but I still had to dig for most of the information.

Like most things in life, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.

Kevin

 

I once inquired about Woodbury College's Master of Science in Law program. Since then, I moved on but they still send me all sorts of program information (spam to me) that you my find of interest. Check out their website http://www.woodbury-college.edu/ hope that helps

 

I like it...and there are some very inexpensive papalegal programs out there that will qualify you to sit for the CLA exam from NALA. My wife is finishing up her certification this month. 3 assignments left!

Pug

 

Hi pugbelly,

Do you know if NALA is accredited, e.g., by US Department of Education?

 

NALA is not accredited because it is not a school or university...although I think they have an e-campus of some kind that provides CEU's. For example, I work in residential real estate management. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) both issue several professional designations that are highly regarded in the industry, but are not accredited by anyone. They also provide seminars for continuing education units. NALA would be the legal profession's equivalent.

Pug

 

NALA does not formally approve paralegal programs so it does not fall within the scope of recognition as an accrediting agency by the USDOE. NALA has achieved recognition by some states. In Florida, passing NALA’s exam makes one eligible to become a FL Registered Paralegal, see:


http://www.floridabar.org/TFB/TFBResources.nsf/Attachments/43709F4CEB5E4B9E85257155005CEBE1/$FILE/Ch%2020%20Paralegal%20Rule.pdf

 

what is UNA?

 

University of North Alabama

 

A while back I did a little search on this and came up with this: http://www.legalstudies.com/schedule/list_bycourse.asp
They have some solid schools on the list, and $1100/16Weeks sounds allright. But are they legit?

 

I thought I remembered answering this over at degree.net.

American Center for Conflict Resolution Institute www.accri.org Paralegal-Legal Assistant Diploma Training Program
American Center for Paralegal Studies www.americanparalegal.edu Certificate in Paralegal Studies
Ashworth College www.ashworthcollege.edu Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bryant & Stratton College www.bryantstratton.edu Paralegal Studies
Centura College www.centuracollege.edu AAS Paralegal Law
Chancellor University www.myers.edu BS Paralgal Education
Colorado Technical University www.ctuonline.edu Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Ellis University www.ellis.edu BA Paralegal Studies
Everest University www.everest.edu AS Paralegal BS Paralegal
George Washington University www.gwu.edu MPS Paralegal Studies
Herzing College www.herzing.edu AS Legal Assisting/Paralegal BS Legal Studies
Hodges University www.hodges.edu AS Paralegal Studies
IIA College www.iiacollege.net AA Paralegal Studies
Jones College www.jones.edu Legal Assistant
Kaplan University www.kaplan.edu AAS Paralegal Studies, BS Legal Studies, BS Paralegal Studies
Keiser University www.keiseruniversity.edu AA Paralegal, BA Legal Studies
Penn Foster College www.pennfoster.edu Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Post University www.post.edu BS Legal Studies
Rasmussen College www.rasmussen.edu AAS Paralegal
Santa Barbara Business College www.sbbcollege.edu Associate's in Paralegal Studies
South University www.southuniversity.edu Associate's in Paralegal Studies, BS Legal Studies
Strayer University www.strayer.edu BBA Legal Studies
Virginia College www.vc.edu AS Paralegal Studies
Western International University www.wintu.edu BA Legal Studies

 

If you are planning on continuing with your current job does paralegal training address these topics? Perhaps a masters degree or certificate from American Graduate University (a DETC school) is an alternate path:
http://www.agu.edu/Acquisition_mgnt/degrees.html
or you might consider a degree in project management.