The Great ABA Debate for Paralegals / ABA Approved Paralegal Programs

Are you looking for ABA-approved paralegal programs? There's a big debate among paralegals, do you really need an ABA-approved program for your paralegal training.
In this video, I talk about that and share my opinion on what really matters for a successful paralegal career. If you've been looking for paralegal programs and want to decide if you should enroll in an expensive degree program, this video will help you make that decision.
I also talk about the top questions you should ask yourself before enrolling in a paralegal school, through a community college, or online.
If you're looking for an affordable option for your paralegal training, you can check out Preppy.
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[@ArrowConsultants_MistyMurray]

Learn more about Preppy at paralegalfasttrack.com/

[@denisesolvestheworld3487]

To apply for the NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants) certification exam, one qualification is: o you must have attended an ABA approved program, OR o have an Associates degree along with the non-ABA paralegal program studies, OR o have a bachelor’s degree plus 1 year of paralegal experience, OR o have 5 years of paralegal experience. I tend to recommend an ABA-approved program if it’s an option, because then you don’t have to wait 5 years for certification and, in some states, licensing. ⭐️However, I appreciate this perspective you’ve shared here because certification or licensing isn’t everyone’s goal at first anyway, and because of the rarity and expense of ABA-approved programs, as you explained. 🤩 Thank you for all of your great content.

[@LauraElben]

I agree 💯 hindsight is always 20/20…I wish I hadn’t paid $12,800 for an ABA paralegal program only to start the same as someone who was the receptionist at the law office without any formal education. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@ArrowConsultants_MistyMurray]

Exactly! 🙌 Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!

[@FannyGodMother]

Lol… except when you both have a few years of experience and apply for the same job, you’re more likely to get it because you have shown you take your career seriously, and they can bill you out at a higher rate because of your credentials. You are also going to have an easier time moving states (if you ever wanted to) because you have something that has a standard meaning. If you take your job seriously, you’ll do well.

[@yosemite735]

An ABA degree is about $4,000 at a CC and most if not all of it can be completed online. A lot of those units will transfer to a state university allowing you to get a BA/BS to continue on in your education as well. I cannot imagine throwing away money by paying four times as much for a degree, with a little bit of research could get the same thing for much cheaper.

[@LauraElben]

@@yosemite735 your assumption is that I chose to go through an expensive paralegal program at a time when there were other options available which unfortunately isn’t the case…

[@Latte-girly90]

The program I’m in is ABA approved but I qualify for grants and it’s at a community college. I think it depends on the program itself. I did have to take general education classes but it wasn’t anywhere near 40 hrs, and we have practicals.

[@Heather-ce2hx]

Do you know if. California requires ABA approved paralegal programs? Or, is it just the preference of the law firm?

[@ArrowConsultants_MistyMurray]

Most firms in California that I've worked with go above and beyond the ABA standard of required credit hours. The ABA standards for Paralegals haven't changed in years and are seriously outdated. I know MANY Paralegals who went to an ABA-approved program that didn't come close to preparing them for what they would be doing on the job. When it comes to California, be ready! California is its own animal and those Paralegals seriously operate at junior Associate level. Choose your program wisely, but choose a program that's actually going to prepare you for your role as a Paralegal. If you're thinking of going to an ABA program, ask to review their entire program and cross-reference it with a non-ABA-approved program (curriculum). You're going to want at least 23 credit hours for California. Of course, this is just my opinion. Good luck on your journey. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!

[@nayem5330]

Amazing

[@ArrowConsultants_MistyMurray]

Thank you so much and thank you for watching!

[@donnadagostino7717]

The ABA regulations are outdated.

[@kyehaymore1]

As a Director of a Paralegal Studies Program and being heavily involved in NALA, I disagree with a lot of what you are saying. Several of the statements you make are actually incorrect. While I agree that not everyone has to attend an ABA Approved Program, you have really oversimplified the process and benefits of ABA Approval. In addition, in reviewing the website you reference, I feel confident in saying there is no way that six months of instruction can fully prepare you for working in the profession.

[@ArrowConsultants_MistyMurray]

I agree that six months of instruction doesn't fully prepare anyone from any institution for what they will face as a Paralegal. However, two years didn't prepare me either. I have spent thousands on my education (of which I'm still paying off) and 18 credit hours equated to 6 specialty classes in my ABA approved community college program. For students not wanting to seek an associates or bachelors and would rather go through a certificate program to get going in a career sooner, they need to be provided with more information about options that prepare them for today's job market. I've been through the entire Preppy curriculum, and it by far (leaps and bounds) prepares today's student for the NALA exam, as well as provides current information about the needs of law firms today, which go well beyond the NALA exam. We're all entitled to our opinion, but the mass majority of Paralegals today will tell you that their education, ABA approved or not, didn't prepare them for many of their job duties such as billing their time, navigating case management, indexing case materials for optimization, creating a table of authorities, how to work with an attorney, preparing a deposition abstract or a demand package with a damages summary, etc. It's ASTOUNDING what you don't learn in school, regardless if you're a Paralegal or Attorney, and regardless of what institution you attend. Though, that is what I'm trying to change - quite literally the path to Paralegal needs an evolution. After 25 years in this industry, I'm confident in saying that an ABA-approved Paralegal education isn't a necessity. I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm saying it isn't for every and that it isn't necessary for a Paralegal to thrive in today' legal landscape. Thanks for watching and commenting with your opinions. We all have them and we're all welcome to express them. Thank you for opening up this topic of discussion and debate.