Online Paralegal - Bring on the Sun
October 2nd, 2009Like most professions, legal assistants and paralegals are represented by a wide array of organizations (some professional and some not so) that work to improve the overall working conditions of their members. A few of the most prominent paralegal organizations include AAPI, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and NALA (the National Association of Legal Assistants). While the American Alliance of Paralegals (AAPI is the new kid in town because it wasn’t started until 2003) is fully geared towards the training of paralegals (through paralegal schools and instructors) both NALA and NFPA focus their spheres of influence on developing professional development programs and promoting a community as well as a global presence for the paralegal profession.
Indispensable criterion to be aware of when investigating any paralegal program:
1. Teaching practical, usable job skills in combination with fundamental legal principals are an essential part of any quality paralegal schools curriculum. In addition, paralegal degree programs should also cover topics like contract law, legal research, business organizations and legal writing. A quality online paralegal school will focus their courses towards the development of an overall higher quality, well-rounded student. This would be done by designing courses that develop students’ hypercritical thinking abilities, organizational skills and their emotional and mental capacity to handle delicate ethical issues.
2. You’ve done some research and narrowed your “possibilities” down to a few paralegal schools. Now you need to ask yourself a few questions. Are the teachers any good? Is the curriculum applicable in today’s legal arena? Good questions and here are a few answers. Look for the program director to have a law degree and a solid track record of experience working as an educator or trainer in the legal field. Find out if the instructors are paralegals with real-world work experience who really know their stuff and with impeccable educational credentials.
3. The latest fad in learning is to learn online through the internet but is this right learning environment for you or should you stick with the traditional brick and mortar classroom? The aforementioned is just one of the many questions you need to answer before pursuing your paralegal degree online. Another vital question that needs answered is how will you receive your training? Will it be web-based or through interactive video or whatever is the latest and greatest technological advance. Regardless of the delivery method it comes down to this; “Is online learning right for you?” If yes; jump right in because the benefits in convenience and cost are many but if not, then don’t do it. Simply go out and find the best brick and mortar paralegal school near you.
Obviously, seeking a paralegal career is not for just anyone but it is for those that welcome research, have top notch writing and organizational skills and can work under a deadline and for that possess those skills this is an exciting and expanding field that offers financial rewards and professional fulfillment.
Posted in 