Online Degree School

Posts Tagged ‘paralegal’

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 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 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!!

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!!

Only if the individual has a more traditional background as well as the online degree, and if the degree is from a respected institution.

Employers always prefer to hire employees who have a strong work record, particularly with experience in the field. With online degrees, this is even more important.

If you have no experience, go for the bricks and mortar school.

I see alot of jobs posted online that states that either you need a bachelors degree, or a paralegal certificate. But when I search online for aba approved paralegal certificate programs, most of them say that you need a Bachelors degree or 60 college credits. Thanks

From the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Most entrants have an associate degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor’s degree coupled with a certificate in paralegal studies.

Check local community colleges or accredited business schools in your area to see if they offer an associates in paralegal studies.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm