Online Degree School

I am thinking about get a paralegal certificate online. However, I have been advised by people in the legal field that is hard to find work without the experience. Could someone explain more? Thanks.

HI CARMEN!!!!!

I am being stalked. It must be <<<<BECAUSE>>> people do NOT read my RANT and BECAUSE I NEVER back up the rant and the things all over the internet with any concrete credentials to back what I SAY>>>>> I JUST tell people I have all this EXPERIENCE in the LAW FIELD. BUT do i REALLLY!!!!

OH, I work at COOLEY. THE top LAW School in the US of A.

I am thinking about get a paralegal certificate online. However, I have been advised by people in the legal field that is hard to find work without the experience. Could someone explain more? Thanks.

HI CARMEN!!!!!

I am being stalked. It must be <<<<BECAUSE>>> people do NOT read my RANT and BECAUSE I NEVER back up the rant and the things all over the internet with any concrete credentials to back what I SAY>>>>> I JUST tell people I have all this EXPERIENCE in the LAW FIELD. BUT do i REALLLY!!!!

OH, I work at COOLEY. THE top LAW School in the US of A.

I was looking at the university of phoenix and US career institute and i need to do an online degree with no on-campus classes for a paralegal,if anyone can give me advice?? thanks!!

There are tons of online programs. I personally attended American Intercontinental Univ. and Capella University, and I have taught for various online schools over the last five years. All are accredited and solid programs. Online courses tend to vary in price, so we could say they are more expensive, but that is relative. Of course they are more expensive than a community college, but less expensive than Harvard. The price range varies.

The key is to find a program that is fully accredited. Is it worth it? YES. My career has boomed since my MBA at nearly 5 years ago. I am close to finishing my PhD through distance education, and I am at the job that I want. I know I wouldn’t be here without the education. If you are looking at work in the U.S., then you need a school that is accredited and recognized by the Dept of Ed. I can give more info on that later.

You should market yourself and not the degree or university. There are many traditional universities offering degrees that can be earned through online methods. Distance Learning Alliance has a list of these traditional online schools. Look at that if you are truly concerned with the name of the school. Good luck on your search!

I am currently a senior in high school, and interested in getting a degree in paralegal. I’m not interested in going to school for more then two years. After some research, I decided to go one year full time to become a secretary and get an idea of what the working environment is like, and then continuing part time to get my degree as a paralegal. The problem is, every school I’ve found is a four-year college. If anyone has any sites where I could find schools, that’d be excellent. Also, would an online degree be comparative? Thanks so much for your help. : )

Don’t get an online degree. There are many programs that you can get a degree in (an Associate’s Degree) in paralegal studies.

Check with your local community college to see if they offer an associate’s degree program in paralegal studies.

You can also check out the ABA’s website of ABA approved paralegal programs here:

http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/

Just click on your state and find out which ones are available.

For example, I clicked on "California" and found some 4-year programs (offering certificates) but also found 2 year programs offering an associate’s degree.

See:
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/ca.html#east

Community college is definitely the least expensive way to go! Plus, you can go part-time at night and get a job as a legal secretary by day (that way you’ll have an "in" at the firm you work at once you graduate from paralegal school).

I am currently a senior in high school, and interested in getting a degree in paralegal. I’m not interested in going to school for more then two years. After some research, I decided to go one year full time to become a secretary and get an idea of what the working environment is like, and then continuing part time to get my degree as a paralegal. The problem is, every school I’ve found is a four-year college. If anyone has any sites where I could find schools, that’d be excellent. Also, would an online degree be comparative? Thanks so much for your help. : )

Don’t get an online degree. There are many programs that you can get a degree in (an Associate’s Degree) in paralegal studies.

Check with your local community college to see if they offer an associate’s degree program in paralegal studies.

You can also check out the ABA’s website of ABA approved paralegal programs here:

http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/

Just click on your state and find out which ones are available.

For example, I clicked on "California" and found some 4-year programs (offering certificates) but also found 2 year programs offering an associate’s degree.

See:
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/ca.html#east

Community college is definitely the least expensive way to go! Plus, you can go part-time at night and get a job as a legal secretary by day (that way you’ll have an "in" at the firm you work at once you graduate from paralegal school).

I would please like to know which of these 2 colleges will be better to earn an Online Paralegal Degree with. penn foster college or herkimer county community college? thanks…

From looking at their websites it is hard to tell, but Penn Foster indicates accreditation on their site and Herkimer does not – at least I couldn’t find it on the Herkimer site. Hopefully someone who is familiar with both will respond to your question.

I would please like to know which of these 2 colleges will be better to earn an Online Paralegal Degree with. penn foster college or herkimer county community college? thanks…

From looking at their websites it is hard to tell, but Penn Foster indicates accreditation on their site and Herkimer does not – at least I couldn’t find it on the Herkimer site. Hopefully someone who is familiar with both will respond to your question.

I am considering going online to get a degree for paralegal studies. Are these online degrees legit, or scam? I am divided..it seems that they might offer something but yet I have a voice in the back of my head that screams scam. Any advice?

As long as you obtain your degree from a regionally accredited college it should be recognized by potential employers and other academic institutions.
This site has some good information on regionally accredited Online Paralegal Degrees and some colleges to help begin/expand your search:
http://www.ecollegefinder.org/online-paralegal-degree-education.aspx

I would recommend contacting a number of schools to find the best fit for you and your needs (tuition, schedule, reputation by potential employers). Good Luck!

I am considering going online to get a degree for paralegal studies. Are these online degrees legit, or scam? I am divided..it seems that they might offer something but yet I have a voice in the back of my head that screams scam. Any advice?

As long as you obtain your degree from a regionally accredited college it should be recognized by potential employers and other academic institutions.
This site has some good information on regionally accredited Online Paralegal Degrees and some colleges to help begin/expand your search:
http://www.ecollegefinder.org/online-paralegal-degree-education.aspx

I would recommend contacting a number of schools to find the best fit for you and your needs (tuition, schedule, reputation by potential employers). Good Luck!

I’m 33 years old and I decided to go back to get my paralegal degree. I live in Illinois and I don’t have any experience in this field, but I will be willing to orientate to the position. Should I continue to get my bachelors degree or should I just focus on the paralegal certificate? Are degrees from online programs acceptable for the lawfirms in Illinois? What’s the best thing for me to do? Please only serious attorneys or professional within a law firm reply! Thanks..

It is very, very difficult to get into a paralegal position with no experience, pretty much impossible. They all want 3+ years experience and a 2 year degree only substitutes for 1 year. I got my associates degree in paralegal studies and for a whole year tried to find a law firm to hire me without any experience…well I couldn’t find one. I had to start at a law office as a legal secretary and work my way up the ladder.

A certificate from an online program is not worth anything. If you are serious about this then you should get your associates or bachelors in paralegal studies. You can find a list of institutions in your area that are American Bar Association accredited on the ABA’s website. Here’s the link… http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/il.html

Non ABA accredited places are no good and potential employers will not be impressed, just as they won’t be impressed by a mere certifcate or something from an online program. They want to see that you are dedicated, committed and a hard worker. A simple certificate or something from an online program shows that you are not.

My advice to you is to try and get your foot in the door at a law office NOW, start as a legal secretary, receptionist or clerk. Build up law office experience while you go to school. That way, when you graduate you have a degree and law office experience, even though it isn’t paralegal experience, it is better than nothing. And while you are finishing school, talk to your employer about the possibility of promotion once you complete your degree.

If you plan ahead your transition into the legal field and into a paralegal position won’t be too difficult.

Best of luck to you!!