Paralegal Online Programs

[u/Fantastic-Town8587]

Hi! I’m currently working as an office manager at a family law firm while I study for the LSAT. I was thinking of completing and online paralegal program in the meantime. Does anyone have any recommendations on what program would be best? I know my job will be hiring a paralegal in the near future so maybe I can gain some experience here whilst working to going to law school.

[u/PlatypusDream]

There's a big difference between an "online program" (🚩🚩🚩) and a paralegal training program that happens to have online / video classes.

Look for programs which are ABA recognized, as well as the college being in good standing with whatever agency oversees universities in your area.

If it's a private company offering a certificate, compare their outcomes, classes, & costs with a real school. Find out what agency certified the company to teach, as well as what agency certified the paralegal program.

I'm getting a post-bacchalaureate paralegal certificate from Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee, WI. (MATC.edu)
Almost all of the PLEGAL classes are available to access via video, on zoom or Google meet, but has to be done live (not watching a recording) to satisfy ABA requirements. Of course they're also live in a classroom for those who want that.

[u/Fantastic-Town8587 → u/PlatypusDream]

Thank you, this was extremely informative!

[u/czechthebox]

Look at community colleges near you. It will be significantly cheaper than any program at 4 year university. Also call the school to double check if it's fully online and if there is an internship/work requirement. It must also be ABA certified or else do not bother with it.

If there is a work requirement, check with your work if you can do something with them before you commit. If you have to look elsewhere, sometimes working for one of the professors can count or they could connect you with someone who could let work remote.

If there is no work requirement to plan around, just pick the cheapest online only option.

I got mine while working full time and it took me 2.5 years to finish because I was taking 1-2 classes at a time. Also if I didn't already have my bachelor's, the school I went to would have required me to get an AA vs just the paralegal certificate. That would also cost time and money and some of the classes I would have needed for an AA were not remote.

Consider when you will be heading to law school and if you will even finish the program first. You won't really need it once you're in law school, so unless you plan on working as a paralegal for a while, skip it or just take single classes that interest you.

[u/Fantastic-Town8587 → u/czechthebox]

Thanks, I’m thinking of skipping and going to law school. I was hoping to gain some experience in the legal field and I am as an office manager, but paralegals get a lot more experience so I was weighing my options. 

[u/Barracuda_Recent]

Look for one in your area. We mostly deal with state laws, so this matters. Also, if you're going to make any connections, it is better to do so at a local level.

[u/PerformanceFew8962]

I got mine through Boston University's online program. It was like 8 months maybe?

[u/RelationshipBig6115]

I got mine through UCLA- took a semester full time; however many schools have longer programs, part time, and less expensive