Low cost paralegal program online accredited

Hi,

I live in Iowa and am looking for an online program that is accredited for Paralegal. I want one that is recognized and courses can be transferred bachelor degree.

However, I am not eligible for Financial aid due to a degree and other courses dating back to 1983. I do have GPA of 3.0 and an Associates in Medical Office Specialist. I am also looking for a college that offers scholarships for e-college students possibly out of their state with low tuition cost and tuition payment plans.

I also have very close to a bachelor degree in Sociology from 1983 and could easily add courses to complete a 4-year degree with my gen eds. Unfortunately sociology is not of much use today.

Would it be wiser to take additional courses to finish an associates in paralegal or to take courses for a certificate at a 4-year college? I have taken Criminal Law, US Constitution, Business Law 1 & 2, and National Government but no tort courses so far.

I have also seen that there is accreditation from the National Bar Association but not all the community college that offer paralegal programs online have that.

Thanks
DJ

 

He ya go....

Five very low cost schools with payment plans.

DETC

 

My first concern would be in a school accepting 29 year old credits. I know for some programs that would be unacceptable but others may have more information. Could you imagine them accepting 29 year old credits in computer science?

As far as sociology, it is still very relevant. At the very least it would be on par or accepted in to a liberal studies/humanities program. I enjoyed sociology.

 

I agree that pretty much all the material I took in the 1980's I have forgotten. However, I received my Associates degree in 2007 for medical office specialist. Unfortunately, that has also been a problem finding a job in our area because most doctor offices are combining the medical assistant and office positions into one position. The other problem is that the community college is having more students with the medical assistant degrees than there are jobs.

I have also taken additional courses mostly in psychology, business, and law courses since than. So, although I almost have a complete BA degree in sociology from 1983 I am trying to decide how to proceed. Whether to finish taking paralegal courses for an Associates or finish a bachelor's degree and add a certificate to it for paralegal. I have also found that only 2 community colleges in Iowa offer ABA credited Paralegal programs and both don't offer online programs.

Our 4 year colleges in Iowa also don't offer online programs in Paralegal, although they offer Liberal Arts Degrees.

Thanks

DJ

 

Check the thread below this one talking about online JD. Evidently a BA/BS with a paralegal certificate afterward is the most lucrative.

 

Here is one that is $6K but is a non-credit program - Online Paralegal Courses and Paralegal Certificate - FIU Online

 

non-credit program

What exactly does this mean? Is it recognized by the ABA? I am guessing that it wouldn't be recognized by a college.

Thanks

DJ

 

As far as I know, there are no ABA-approved legal programs that can be done through online study when it comes to becoming to an Attorney. I'd imagine it's the same with becoming a Paralegal as well, but I could be wrong.

 

Duke's program. Not much more than the one from FIU mentioned above
Paralegal Studies -- Professional Certificates -- Duke Continuing Studies

 

Re

I want to thank everyone who has posting this information. I am doing a lot of research on these schools and others.

Another questions:

Would having a Liberal Arts Bachelor Degree with a certificate (paralegal) be better?
Or, getting a 2 year associates degree in paralegal be better.

I am also looking Criminal Justice Bachelor with a paralegal certificate. But, I will need to check to see how many courses it would take. I already have an AA degree.

My legal courses:

Business Law I
Business Law II
Criminal Law
American National Government
US Constitution

Thanks
DJ

 

I saw on eHow that you can't get an ABA accredited paralegal program completely online. That you need to do some of it offline. Would an internship with a legal firm complete that requirement?

Thanks

DJ

"The ABA approval process prohibits totally online paralegal certificate programs. However, several programs offer one or more required paralegal certificate classes online and a few schools offer completion through distance learning using interactive television or webcam technology.

Read more: ABA Approved Online Paralegal Certificate Programs | eHow.com ABA Approved Online Paralegal Certificate Programs | eHow.com

 

I would not look at sites like that for information to base a decision on. Look at this site for info - Paralegal Approved Program Directory - ABA

 

This thread is very helpful, Thanks for sharing the information.

 

Between this and FIU, this will probably give you more bang for your buck.

Since you already have an AA I don't recommend getting another AA. It would probably be better for you to press on towards a BA and obtain a certificate.

 

Another question I now have come across is the term JD. What exactly does it mean? Would a criminal law/justice bachelor degree + paralegal certificate be the same? Liberal arts Bachelor degree + paralegal certificate be the same?

Thanks

DJ

 

JD= Juris Doctorate. It is a law degree at the graduate/doctoral level. Not the same thing as a paralegal. Rather it is a 3 year post bac degree in the law. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juris_Doctor

Why do you feel you are ineligible for Student Aid? The AA you have wouldn't automatically disqualify you. I would go to FAFSA.gov, fill out the application, and see where you stand.

 

Re:

When I tried to transfer to a paralegal at another community college they said that I was no longer eligible for federal grants. This might be because of all the courses I took back in the 80's for sociology. This is why I am looking for an inexpensive college that I can make payments to and get scholarships. My GPA has been in the 3.0 range.

Thanks

dj

 

How many credits do you have? What reason did the school give?

CC's are locked (I believe by Federal Law) at not allowing F/A over 90 credit hours. That will not be the case for 4 year granting institutions. I would urge you to look into it again. Fill out the FAFSA and use Charter Oak State College in Connecticut, or a 4 year institution near you as the target school. Might make things a lot easier if you have a little grant money or whatever to throw at this.

I said Charter Oak because they will accept everything you have for transfer, will welcome as much credit by exam (CLEP/DSST) as you care to take, and they will work out a consortium agreement to maximize your full time education. They also offer a Paralegal Concentration. Charter Oak State College - Paralegal Studies Thomas Edison might have that concentration too.

That would open financial aid back up I suspect, and you would have options. You need to go and try.

 

Thanks for the information.

I never thought about there being a cut off for grants to community colleges. I also haven't put any 4 year colleges on my FAFSA. I will try to add four year colleges to see if that will allow me to receive financial aid. I took a lot of courses in the 80s and those I took to finish my AA degree. I probably have almost enough to get a BA or BS. What would be a good major to have to go along with a paralegal certificate?

Thanks

dj

 

Any major would be fine. Something in liberal arts would likely be easiest since you've likely to have more of your existing credits count towards the degree than if you majored in something outside of liberal arts.