Paralegals play a crucial role in law firms. Otherwise known as legal assistants, they are responsible for a variety of tasks. The size of the firm, as well as the type of law that is practiced, has an impact on the specific tasks that the paralegal must perform. Paralegals at smaller firms, for example, may be responsible for more duties than those in a larger law firm setting.
Usual Tasks Performed by Paralegals
Drafting documents such as mortgages, contracts, and any other legal documents that the attorneys may need them to prepare.
Making phone calls to witnesses, clients, other lawyers, and any additional people that need to be contacted for information or to set up interviews.
Researching facts about each specific case, laws pertaining to the case, as well as any articles that may provide assistance during the case.
Ensuring that paperwork is correct, and keeping it all organized.
Filing any necessary legal documents, briefs, and appeals with either the court or the opposing counsel, or both.
Obtaining witness statements or affidavits that are needed for court.
Assisting the attorney(s) in everything they need for each case such as: Arranging exhibits, evidence, and any other legal documents that the lawyer needs during court; and writing reports and helping with other documents required for the preparation of the case.
Of course, each law firm and attorney has their own specific way to do things. Certain types of law practiced – such as custody, wrongful death, personal injury, etc. – will have various tasks for the paralegal to complete. Also, if they have a specialty in any area, that will likely affect the tasks they perform.
Types of Paralegal Certificates
There are a few different degrees and certificates that legal assistants may obtain. Depending on what type of law firm they would like to work it, and if the firm requires a certain degree, can affect which online paralegal programs they should research. Choosing the right program for themselves is essential. The different types of degrees and certificates for individuals looking to become paralegals – these include:
Associate’s degree in paralegal studies. These individuals attend a higher learning institution in order to receive their associate’s degree. This type of learning program adds the paralegal training aspects to the general academic studies. Courses may include researching legal elements and legal computer applications. Associate’s degrees generally take about two years to complete.
>Bachelor’s or master’s degree in paralegal studies. Not all institutions offer bachelor’s or master’s degree in paralegal studies, but percentage of colleges do. For those schools that do offer these degrees, they include the studies required to obtain an associate’s degree, plus additional courses and training in order to further the knowledge in the field. These degrees may vary in the length of time it takes to complete, and cost more money than an associate’s degree. Also, most law firms don’t require either of these degrees to become a legal assistant for them.
Bachelor’s degree in another subject, plus a certification in paralegal studies. For individuals who posses a bachelor’s or master’s degree in another field, they can obtain a certification in paralegal studies without it taking a lengthy period of time or a large amount of money. Certificates focus strictly on paralegal training, and generally only require a few months to complete, for those who already hold a college degree.
Voluntary certifications. Some organizations offer the opportunity to obtain a voluntary paralegal certification. While most law firms don’t require these certifications, some programs offer them to individuals who meet specific education and experience requirements. These certifications generally only take a few months to complete.
The type of degree or certification an individual is looking to obtain may affect the paralegal program they plan to attend. Some of the options require at least partial participation in person. For those hoping to complete a paralegal program entirely online, the opportunities will differ slightly. A great deal of research should be done before choosing a program. Several aspects should be considered, and a decision should be made on which program would be best for the individual, by the individual. Some of the aspects that are likely to be considered when deciding on a paralegal program include: Whether the individual wishes to complete an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, a certificate of paralegal studies after a bachelor’s degree in something else, or a certification on its own; length of time to complete; cost of the program; previous participant reviews; and overall program rankings.
The criteria used to choose the best program will greatly influence the end decision. A program may be affordable, but have a negative participant review. Or, a program might have excellent ratings overall, but be out of one’s budget. The necessities and the budget should be decided on beforehand, so the individual knows exactly what their guidelines are.
The top schools in one category may not even rank in another, so importance of each element should be clear. For example, if the most important thing is cost – followed by length of time to complete, and overall rating – the individual may have to choose one that is cost efficient, but that may take longer to finish. There are numerous ways to rank online paralegal programs. The following lists will explain some of those ways.
Most Affordable Online Paralegal Programs
The criteria used to be considered most affordable, is that the program offers full degrees or certifications – bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or paralegal certification – for a lower cost than the average online paralegal programs. These online education programs were on the list of the most affordable in 2014, and are expected to remain near that in 2015:
Penn Foster Career School (Certificate) and Penn Foster College (Associate’s degree). While these program opportunities differ slightly, they both offer necessary courses and training needed to become a paralegal. Both programs cost just over $2,200 annually in 2014, and aren’t expected to rise much in the near future. Both schools offer a low monthly payment with 0% interest – making it easier to graduate with a degree, and no debt. Penn Foster Career School and Penn Foster College are both accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance and Education Training Council (DETC).
Drury University. Offering an opportunity to obtain an associate’s degree as a paralegal, this is a non-profit school that is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. This program also rated high in other areas in the 2015 rankings (in the top 10 of another major). Coming in third in 2014 as affordable paralegal programs, the average annual cost of this school was $3,680.
Darton College. This program provides the choice of either a paralegal certificate or an associate’s degree as a paralegal. It is a non-profit college that is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACS COC) Standing in the top 25% for costs of undergraduate degrees – after scholarships and any financial aid – this program comes in just behind Drury University, at an average annual cost of $3,875 in 2014.
Georgia Military College. This institution is a non-profit organization that offers the chance to gain an paralegal associate’s degree. Regionally accredited by Southeastern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges – this program offers a considerable financial aid amount. Georgia Military College maintains a lower cost of undergraduate degrees, after scholarships and financial aid, than 75% of all other online institutions. Ranking #5 in most affordable paralegal degrees in 2014, this program cost approximately $4,655 annually.
Front Range Community College. This college offers a total of 23 online degrees, including a paralegal certification and a paralegal associate’s degree. As a non-profit school, this program has one of the highest numbers on this list of individuals enrolled online. Front Range Community College is another regionally accredited (by SACS COC) institution. And in 2014, the cost of this school was considerably lower than the average online paralegal degree, with an annual cost of $5,635.
Herkimer County Community College. This is a non-profit institution that provides the opportunity to obtain a paralegal associate’s degree. Offering a low net price – costs after scholarships and financial aid – this school holds an overall graduation rate of 30%. Regionally accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), this college is also considered one of the most affordable overall – according to The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The online paralegal program costs, on average, $6,300 annually.
Rio Salado College. With 93 different online degree opportunities, individuals have the choice of a paralegal certification or a paralegal associate’s degree. Offering financial aid to a small portion of students, this program has a lower net price than a majority of online paralegal degree institutions. Holding a spot in other top ten lists, Rio Salado College places 8th on this list, with an average annual cost of $6,450.
American Public University System. With 278 different online degrees overall, this institution is one of the most highly attended on this list. With approximately 58,000+ online students enrolled each year, this program is one of the most student-recommended, currently holding an 87% recommendation feedback. Individuals have the option of a paralegal certification or an associate’s degree. Nationally accredited by Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission and North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission – this program costs an average of $7,750 annually. Also, the American Public University System ranks as #2 Best Value College of 2015.
Mohave Community College. With the option of a paralegal associate’s degree or a paralegal certification, this non-profit organization rounds out the top ten list of affordable paralegal programs. Mohave Community College maintains a lower net price than a large percentage of other online programs. This school is regionally accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, and has an average annual cost of $8,400.
If cost isn’t the primary focus, there are numerous other ways to choose the best program from which to obtain a paralegal degree or certification. Typically, the majority of paralegals possess an associate’s degree in the field. Therefore, it is likely a wise idea to strive to obtain such a degree. Focusing on programs that offer the opportunity to obtain an associate’s degree as a paralegal, as well as several other aspects, will lead to the best overall choice.
Best Overall Online Paralegal Programs (Associate Degree)
When researching the top programs for a specific degree, of course there are going to be different opinions and varying lists from each source. However, there are certain sources that are more credible than others. Comparing two separate sources, some of the programs rank in the top ten on both lists. In addition to offering a paralegal associate’s degree, the following online programs are considered the best overall, rated by – Cost; credibility; student satisfaction; attentive and interactive staff; and solid academics:
The ten best overall online paralegal programs, according to onlineparalegalprograms.com:
Kaplan University. As the largest online degree program in the United States, Kaplan is a top-ranked institution among students. Courses are constantly monitored by the staff of highly experienced legal professionals, in order to be sure that students are getting the individual attention they need. According to the school’s official website – as well as several other sources – Kaplan University is the #1 choice for online legal degrees.
Rasmussen College. In addition to the associate’s degree program, this school also offers paralegal certification courses. These courses provide the opportunity for individuals who possess degrees in other fields to easily become a certified paralegal. Since the certification courses are an option, for no additional cost, Rasmussen College faculty will help students properly prepare for the Paralegal Certification Exam. Individuals attending this online education program in order to obtain an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, will focus on learning the latest technologies pertaining to legal research. Also, this institution occasionally offers tuition discounts, which may reduce costs considerably.
DeVry University. This institution provides the year-round opportunity to obtain an associate’s degree in paralegal studies. Partnering with large businesses, such as IBM and Cisco, DeVry is able to offer students the most modern and practical training. In 2012, approximately 90% of all DeVry University graduates were able to find jobs in their field of study – considerably higher than the average online school.
Penn Foster College. The most apparent benefit of this particular institution is their focus on helping students graduate debt-free. Costing approximately 86% less than other similar programs, Penn Foster also offers the option of making payments of the tuition costs. These 0% interest, monthly, and affordable payments provide students with the opportunity to graduate without an accumulation of debt. In addition to career counseling, tutoring, and professional training, faculty at this college help students to prepare for the National Association of Legal Assistants exam, or NALA.
Liberty University Online. Accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, courses at this institution are all taught by practicing lawyers. As a Christian University, one of the top focuses of Liberty is critical thinking and problem-solving. With 90,000+ students from around the world, this school is the largest Christian, non-profit, online program in the world.
Virginia College. According to the school’s official website, this institution states that students are taught to find practical approaches to problem-solving – through an intense paralegal degree program. After completing the entire program in just 88 weeks, nearly 60% of graduates are able to locate work in their field of study. One specific legal employer claims that if a position needs filled at his law firm, he automatically contacts Virginia College.
Hodges University. The experienced faculty members at this institution all possess a Juris Doctorate degree, in addition to having personal experience in the legal field. Aiming to provide a well-rounded curriculum so students are successful, paralegal training at Hodges focuses on the requirements of the student as well as the legal professionals in the community. After graduation, students qualify to take the Certified Legal Assistant exam, issued by NALA.
WestWood College. Like other online paralegal programs, the courses offered through this institution are taught by experienced legal professionals. Certain branches of law covered include real estate, bankruptcy, and immigration. An associate’s degree can be earned in as little as 17 months. The biggest advantage of this college is that if graduates are unable to obtain employment within six months of the graduation date, WestWood will assist them in paying their bills.
Anthem College Online. This school offers a great deal of flexibility, providing online classroom access 24/7. And while students have a schedule, they are able to set their own deadlines for assignments – giving them the chance to work at their own pace. Anthem also offers a career success course, which provides the greatest chance of success, and inspires optimal performance once they gain employment.
Brookline College. Students are required to take general courses in addition to the paralegal courses, in order to provide a greater knowledge of all topics. Some of the subjects focused on include: Legal assisting, research, and writing; estate planning; and criminal law. The faculty at Brookline pledge that they will provide students with as many interviews and job opportunities as possible, to ensure student satisfaction in their employment.
The ten best overall paralegal associate’s degree programs according to the thebestschools.org:
**Some of the schools on this list require a certain number of classes or number of class hours taken at a campus (indicated with *). However, others on the list are completely online. All of the schools will be listed, in order to compare them:
* Eastern Kentucky University. This college combines online courses with on-campus courses. Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) requires at least ten semester hours in a regular classroom, and the rest may be completed online. In-state tuition averages just over $7,500 and out-of-state tuition averages slightly over $16,600 per year.
* Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. In addition to an associate’s degree, this school offers the opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, as well as certification available for individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree in another field of study. The associate’s degree in paralegal studies includes the general course requirements, plus 39 hours of specific coursework – with a minimum of ten of those hours being in a classroom setting. Average tuition and fees is just above $27,600 per year.
* University of Great Falls. The associate’s degree in paralegal studies at this school requires an internship in a law firm or other similar legal settings. A minimum of 15 credits, or 40% of all necessary credits (whichever is greater), must be in a traditional classroom – the rest may be completed online. Average tuition is just under $20,300 per year.
Liberty University Online. (Described above) This institution is the world’s largest accredited, Christian, non-profit, online university. Tuition for full-time enrollment averages $340 per credit hour.
Kaplan University. (Described above) Kaplan is the largest online degree program in the United States. It is highly recommended by previous students, and is the #1 choice in online degree programs. 90 credit hours are required to obtain the degree, and tuition averages $371 per credit hour.
Penn Foster College. (Described above) Focused on helping students graduate debt-free, Penn Foster allows monthly tuition payments, with 0% interest. This program helps individuals prepare for the National Association of Legal Assistants exam, or NALA. Average tuition costs per semester are a little less than $1,500 if the payment option is chosen, or $980 if paid in full.
Rasmussen College. (Described above) This institution focuses on the latest legal-related technology training. Instructors help prepare students for the NALA, or Paralegal Examination, for no additional cost. 83% of graduates gain employment in their specific field of study. Average full-time tuition is slightly over $28,000 per year.
Harrison College. Students looking to obtain an associate’s degree from this program receive training in drafting legal documents, legal research, and courthouse procedures. This program prepare students to perform the necessary administrative functions of a legal assistant, when under the supervision of an attorney. 96 credit hours are required from Harrison in order to obtain an associate’s degree, with the average tuition being $390 per credit hour for full-time students.
* South University. This program offers degree training that prepares students to perform essential functions in a job setting, under the supervision of an attorney. Combining traditional coursework with internships, South University provides tools to help students be as successful as possible in their career. This institution requires partial online coursework and partial classroom participation, and is ABA-approved. Average tuition is just over $43,000 for the full associate’s degree. The job placement rate is 71% after graduation.
Remington College. This paralegal degree program focuses on family law, real estate, civil litigation, bankruptcy, trial preparation, probate, and contracts. The program consists of six 13-week semesters, totaling 90 credit hours. The course may be completed in as little as 18 months for full-time students. Average tuition for the entire degree program is slightly under $30,000.
Additional Lists of the Top Paralegal Programs
One additional list of the top online paralegal programs that is worth nothing, is the list found on onlineschoolcenter.com. The reason this list of schools is worth noting, is that it is based entirely on a combination of other rankings. The staff that provided this list, researched other rankings and determined their opinion of the top 6 programs. These programs were found on other highly reputable lists, qualifying them for this list:
Eastern Kentucky University
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Everest University
Rasmussen College
Liberty University
American Public University System
According to paralegal.edu – there are 8 main things to think about when deciding on a paralegal program. Considering every aspect of each degree will likely help the individual feel confident in their choice of program. The Center for Advanced Legal Studies claims that these are the things to keep in mind when making a decision regarding a paralegal program:
Specialization. Like most other professions, paralegals may focus on a specific kind of law. Obtaining additional knowledge about the certain types of legal topics they will be involved in, can give an individual the upper-hand when seeking employment. Examples of specific types of law may include: Family law (custody, adoption, etc.); personal injury cases; real estate; etc.
Accelerated and Effective Programs. While a majority of people tend to look for the quickest way to complete something, the quickest way isn’t always the best. Some paralegal programs have been condensed, so that students can finish sooner. However, typically, when a course is reduced, some of the content is lost or overlooked. The key is to find a program that isn’t so short that it interferes with the quality and content – though the longest programs aren’t necessarily the best either. Perhaps more important than the length of time it takes to complete, is the effectiveness of the program and the knowledge it provides.
Career Services. A large percentage of people who don’t attend college, don’t go because they have the need to work, and therefore, don’t have the time to attend school. An aspect of a program that should be considered, is the quality of the career services. Some paralegal study programs have interview training and techniques, and even a network of employers who are willing to give new graduates the opportunity to kick-start their career.
Technology. For programs that require credit hours on-campus, this may include technologies the institutions have at their disposal. For online classes though, it may include legal training courses, software, or computer programs used to gain knowledge.
Friendly Staff. Everyone wants an instructor that is friendly and fair. The same is true for online students. Though the interaction may be through the computer, having a caring and attentive instructor can have a huge impact on a student’s success.
Expert, Committed Faculty. Going along with the friendly staff suggestion, an expert and committed faculty is essential, as well. Instructors with personal experience in the legal field are obviously going to make better teachers – because they know exactly what it is that they’re teaching. The faculty should also be committed. They should be committed to doing their personal best in providing the most efficient tools they can, the best knowledge they can, and the best overall chance of success for the student.
Tuition. One of the primary focuses of most people is the cost of a paralegal degree program. A college degree can be quite expensive, but it’s not necessarily just the price that should be focused on. Instead, the focus should be the results of the investment and whether they’re worth it. Of course the cost must be reasonable and inside a budget, but the outcome may outweigh a slightly higher cost. A highly accredited and knowledgeable degree program will typically lead to a higher paying and more satisfying job. So, even if a program costs a little more than others, doesn’t mean it should be overlooked – it could be the best investment choice.
Employer Satisfaction. Overall, perhaps the most validating evidence of a successful paralegal program is the employers of the graduates. While all the other elements are certainly important, none of those make as much of a difference if an employer doesn’t see the value in the education and offer employment. An employer-preferred paralegal program may be the key to choosing the most successful education route.
It’s apparent that there are different opinions on which paralegal programs will be the top ten in 2015. However, it seems as though a few of these programs appear in several different lists. Programs the appear on multiple lists, likely make them the top options, as they are viewed as high ranking by numerous sources. The programs that seem repeatedly discussed – are repetitive, because they deserve recognition in more than one category of ‘top ten’ programs. The schools or programs that appear most often in the previous four different top ten categories include:
Liberty University. Appears on 3 out of 4 lists.
Rasmussen College. Appears on 3 out of 4 lists.
Penn Foster College. Appears on 3 out of 4 lists.
Kaplan University. Appears on 2 out of 4 lists.
American Public University System. Appears on 2 out of 4 lists.
Eastern Kentucky University. Appears on 2 out of 4 lists.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Appears on 2 out of 4 lists.
These lists don’t necessarily provide definitive ‘proof’ that these programs are the best choice for the individual. While they may have the best statistics, that doesn’t always mean they are the right choice for everyone. These rankings simply provide insight and opinions from non-biased third parties, which may be of assistance when choosing a program. Maybe an individual has absolutely no idea of what they’re looking for in a program, or maybe they know the exact criteria they are seeking. Either way, researching how each institution ranks in different categories can make a big difference.
When trying to make the best decision for themselves, an individual must take into account all aspects of a program and the online classes that are offered. They have to decide which elements rank the most important to them in their online education, and choose a program based on their personal criteria. Contacting learning institutions and requesting additional information about their specific programs can also be beneficial, as it may provide key factors that aren’t mentioned elsewhere. All in all – Research, statistics, personal feelings and opinions should all play a part in choosing an online paralegal program. Perhaps the most important deciding factor of an institution’s success is the overall satisfaction of the person who put their faith in that particular program.
SOURCES
http://education-portal.com/articles/ABA-Approved_Online_Paralegal_Schools_How_to_Choose.html
http://www.onlineu.org/most-affordable-colleges/paralegal
http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/online-colleges
http://www.onlineu.org/most-affordable-colleges/paralegal
http://www.onlinedegrees.org/degrees/paralegal/
http://www.online-paralegal-programs.com/top-online-associate-in-paralegal-degree-programs/
http://www.onlineschoolscenter.com/unrivaled-online-paralegal-associates-degree-programs/
http://www.paralegal.edu/blog/bid/331604/8-Things-to-Consider-When-Choosing-a-Paralegal-Program
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