Toni Said:

MTI college online plus paralegal program?

We Answered:

My young friends have done the course. It is very costly course compared to conventional type of education. The coaching is excellent.

Melvin Said:

Are you required to have college credits or a Bachelors degree, before pursing a paralegal certificate?

We Answered:

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

Dawn Said:

What does attorneys look for when hiring a newly grad paralegal?

We Answered:

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/para…

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!!

Patrick Said:

Does anyone have Paralegal certificate if yes, how has it benefited you?

We Answered:

My friend's mother had worked in human resources at a law firm a couple years ago and she'd said that paralegals generally need a bachelor's degree in 'something' (and perhaps paralegal certificate from aba approved program). A lawyer told me several years ago that he can merely hire a law student as an intern as opposed to paralegal and not have to pay job benefits for a similar amount of money.

If wanting to get the training, please steer clear of those private $$ career schools and only consider programs that are accredited by the aba. Please be very wary of those online, for-profit schools such as penn foster, US career, stratford career, devry, capella, university of phoenix, kaplan, strayer, keiser, walden, ITT tech, everest and others as they are merely out to 'make a profit': http://www.capellauniversitysucks.us

http://www.ripoffreport.com and can type into search.

Phyllis Said:

What do I need to do to get my certificate fastest and cheapest? I have a BA in social...?

We Answered:

There are paralegal courses online, though I can't give you a specific website off the top of my head.

You may be asking the wrong questions.

You are looking for cheapest & fastest; when you should be asking for the best programs available.

There are 2 year & 4 year paralegal programs available. The 2 year program is an AAS degree & the 4 year program would be a bachelors degree. You have already completed some of the course work for either of these 2 options.

There is a national certification available from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)

Certified Legal Assistant = CLA

West Publishing sells the CLA Review Manual

West Paralegal Series
3 Columbia Circle
PO Box 15015
Albany NY 12212-5015
www.westpub.com/Educate or www.delmar.com

NALA Headquarters
116 South Boston Avenue, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74119
918-587-6828

Your main competition for a legal assistant position will be nationally certified Legal Assistants who have graduated with a 2 or 4 year degree & passed tbe NALA exam for national certification.

Many law firms will only hire nationally certified legal assistants. The certification is earned upon of a successful score on the NALA test. It is one tough test.

There are certificates for attending a legal assistant program for 6 to 9 months at various business or trade schools. An employer will probably want more than this as far as employee education. I suggest that you speak to a couple of law firms to learn about what they would be looking for in a legal assistant and if a certificate from a business school would satisfy their requirements.

The University of Phoenix is one online university. Google that & you will get several other schools.

Good Luck

Brittany Said:

Paralegal programs in the GTA or online?

We Answered:

There are several ways to become a paralegal.

The most common is through a college paralegal program that leads to an associate degree. Another common method is earning a certificate in paralegal studies. However, some employers train paralegals on the job.

About 1,000 colleges and universities, law schools, and proprietary schools offer formal paralegal training programs. Approximately 260 paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Although many employers do not require such approval, graduation from an ABA-approved program can enhance employment opportunities. Admission requirements vary. Some require certain college courses or a bachelor’s degree, while others accept high school graduates or those with legal experience. A few schools require standardized tests and personal interviews.

The quality of paralegal training programs varies; some programs may include job placement services. If possible, prospective students should examine the experiences of recent graduates before enrolling in a paralegal program. Any training program usually includes courses in legal research and the legal applications of computers. Many paralegal training programs also offer an internship in which students gain practical experience by working for several months in a private law firm, the office of a public defender or attorney general, a corporate legal department, a legal aid organization, a bank, or a government agency. Internship experience is an asset when one is seeking a job after graduation.

Javier Said:

Is there a distance learning or online ABA approved Paralegal Certificate program?

We Answered:

Here is a list of ABA approved programs in California:
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/para…

Call them to find out if they have online classes available in their program. They may have some classes available online, but not the entire program.