Paralegal - Bet the Farm

Paralegals are represented by a number of professional organizations. One, which has only been around since 2003 but is making a big splash in the field, is the American Alliance of Paralegals Inc (AAPI). The AAPI was the first organization with national scope that became involved in setting up minimum educational requirements and guidelines. They also require that voting members meet certain work experience or educational guidelines.

Key steps to quickly and correctly evaluate the value of a paralegal program:

1. Paralegal degree programs need to teach both legal concepts and theory alongside usable, hands-on job skills. A solid paralegal school curriculum should also stress a wide range of topics from legal contracts and litigation to legal writing, legal research, torts and ethics. The really exceptional paralegal schools will focus on the entire development of their students’ by refining and honing their critical thinking abilities and by offering them the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience through and internship or practicum.

2. Who put together and who is running the paralegal program at the paralegal school you are committing your future career too? Do the teachers and the “dean” of the paralegal department have the required educational and field distinction you feel comfortable with? Are they considered “experts” in the subjects they are teaching or at least, do they have the experience and references to be top notch?

3. An increasing number of higher educational colleges and universities are now making paralegal courses and/or entire paralegal degree programs available online via the internet. Potential students need to find out what type of delivery system will be used and how much training will be provided in using the system whether it’s all web-based, video based or a combination of the two. Another key factor for one must ask themselves is if they are properly suited for online learning because it takes a strong level of commitment and discipline.

Even if down the road your goal is to become a lawyer, starting your professional life in law as a paralegal is a wise initial step. Earning your paralegal degree will allow you to get a foothold into the legal field, which in turn will expose additional opportunities. And then, down the road you can make a more informed decision as to whether or not to pursue your law degree or to keep working as a paralegal. In any case, opportunities will be many.