January 29, 2010
Online Paralegal – Like Peaches and Cream
Within the paralegal profession, there are countless organizations that contribute assistance and assets to their paralegal members but truth be told the paralegal field is really governed by a few, but extremely influential groups. These top few professional organizations which can honestly claim over 30,000 paralegals as members; include NFPA, NALA and AAPI. The National Federation of Paralegal Associations and the National Association of Legal Assistants have competed for decades to influence the language of the profession while the American Alliance of Paralegals (established in 2003) is focused on creating and implementing the best paralegal training possible.
Important aspects to keep in mind when analyzing a paralegal program:
1. Paralegal programs should not only teach legal concepts but they should also provide practical real world job skills. In addition, any reputable paralegal school curriculum would encompass everything from legal contacts and legal writing to ethics and torts. Top notch Paralegal programs should also offer the opportunity for students to gain work experience through practicum or an internship.
2. Commitment by the faculty and the paralegal curriculum director to the importance of the paralegal in the whole legal system is a must. Additionally, they must have the proper academic credentials to be able to teach the subject. Ideally, the paralegal program director should have a law degree but if not, they should have some type of advanced paralegal degree. As for the instructors they should be experts in the subjects they are teaching. How they came to become an “expert” can be debated as to what is the best path but regardless of the journey they need to have the proper expertise.
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.
You want to become a paralegal. Sounds like a great career and it is, but like any profession your natural born skills and personality traits need to match up with the job requirements in order to be happy and successful. So what traits do you need to succeed as a paralegal? Well, you must enjoy research; have the ability to write in legal ease, have above average communication skills and not fold under pressure. If this sounds like you, then I hear a paralegal degree calling your name.
Visit http://www.totalparalegal.com/online_paralegal.html for more information on online paralegal schools.
Filed at 10:46 am under Legal Help, Teaching + Training, Your Business
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