RA or NA Colleges with interest free payment plans?

I worked in the legal profession for many years, then took a long and well needed break from it. In my work as a litigation paralegal, I managed to also enroll in a certificate legal assistant/paralegal program from Blackstone School of Law in Dallas, the equivalent of 30 semester credits (615 clock hours).

I presently work in the fitness field and would like to supplement my income with some contract work, as a paralegal on the side. However, I desire to enroll in an A.A. Paralegal Studies program, in order to further my legal skills and for continuing education purposes. Not looking to devote more than four semesters work towards studies.

Criteria:

1. Online A.A. paralegal program

2. Low cost per credit hour

3. Low monthly interest free payment plan

It doesn't have to be ABA approved, just RA or NA accredited with a solid syllabus.

Thank you.

 

Ashworth College : A.A in Paralegal Studies ($80, DETC)

Penn Foster College: A.A in Paralegal Studties ($65, DETC)

 

TEKMAN - Thank you for the suggestions.

Neither Ashworth - nor Penn Foster - provide much information on the text books used for their paralegal programs, which raises some concerns. They are both DETC accredited and I wonder if transfering credit down the line might pose a problem. Is anyone familiar with these paralegal programs?

 

Well, you have to request the catelog or something. Of course, NA accredited schools are always have problem transfering the credit into RA. For safety, then choose Ivy Tech Community College. It is an RA school..

URL: http://www.ivytech.edu/distance/index.html

 

It's out of my price range at "$221.35 per credit hour" for out-of-state residents, plus $20 per credit hour for online courses.

 

For California residents:

According to this site there are "there is no licensing requirement or certification requirement in California."
http://www.paralegal-degrees-certificates.com/become-paralegal-california

Have you checked out all California CCs? That would probably be the low cost way to earning a paralegal or certified legal assistant credential:
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/ca.html

You also search for California legal courses on this site:
http://www.cvc.edu/students/courses/

Once you earn course credits at a Cal CC you could then convert to a AS degree at TESC
http://www.tesc.edu/1794.php

COSC has this Degree
http://www.charteroak.edu/Prospective/Programs/Concentrations/Paralegal-Studies.cfm

 

Ian,

Thank you. I already graduated from a certificate paralegal program, so I have no reason to pursue another one. My focus is to now work towards a complete A.A. degree in paralegal studies. The credits can also transfer to other degree programs, should I choose to do so down the line.

I'm not concerned with licensing and fully meet the California Business & Professions Code 6450 requirements of having a certificate of completion from a paralegal program with a minimum of 24 semester credits (I have 30 credits).

I realize that there are continuing education courses where paralegals can rack up credits; however, I'm mostly interested in a two-year degree program that will accept no interest monthly payments. Non-ABA preferrably.

 

If you live in California and can't afford CC tuition rates then go talk to your local college - fee waiver is available in some cases.

You might also look into an AA degree from the big three using CLEP & DSST exams. You also might get credit for qualifications you already possess.

 

These NA degrees will not be recognized in UK.

NARIC will not evaluate US NA degrees.

So if you have employer or university who require NARIC evaluation you are scr--d.

 

To anyone looking for an online paralegal certificate program CSUDH has one:
http://www.csudh.edu/paralegalonline/

 

The NARIC website shows a man with his arms folded accross his chest - PR classes I've taken in both the UK and USA said never do this (especially with customers or the media) because it is an agressive position.
http://www.naric.org.uk/

 

Ian - I didn't say I can't afford tuition. I said I would like to find a college with no interest monthly payments, since it makes no sense to shell out full tuition fees, when I can float it through a payment plan. Really not looking to use CLEP or DSST exams, but thanks for the input.

So far, it looks like "Penn Foster" is the only game in town. Has anyone pursued an A.A. program through Penn Foster? If so, what was your impression? Are PF degrees accepted by most accredited colleges and universities? If I'm going to be shelling out thousands of dollars, these are questions that I would like to know.

Apart from Penn Foster, does anyone know if there are any other online paralegal programs offering low credit tuition and deferred no interest monthly payments?

Thank you.

 

Just out of curiosity, do they accept RA degrees? Or is just NA degrees?

 

For $1000, plus cost for books, their core paralegal program looks like a good bet for someone looking to earn a certificate in under a year.