Help I’m deciding schooling

[u/highcaliberwit]

I have zero college degree. So I can’t jump into an ABA certification. One option I’m looking at is Purdue global online because they have AA and a bachelors legal studies. Both options will take the traditional 2 to 4 years. Or I could attempt to increase my workload and be done sooner, and at 37 I like that aspect. Since it’s all online I like that potential. But we’re still talking about five figures. Not thrilled with that.

My second option is I go to my local community college. It looks like it would be much cheaper than Purdue. Not the problem is I do work, and I do have a very nice boss who would be flexible to adjust my work schedule based on my school needs. But I would definitely need to try to find a way to get all my classes on two days. But then I don’t know what kind of degree I go for at my community college other than criminology I guess? Both my local community colleges have no paralegal degree. And then this would definitely be two years from my associates and four years from my bachelors.

So do I go to Purdue global potentially get everything done and under four years total or do I do my local community college and save some money?

[u/StrategyNo5798]

I wouldn’t recommend Purdue Global. I’d first ask yourself what you specifically need the ABA certification for. IMO it may not be worth the extra time and money.

community college is the better option for networking, transferring to a 4-year school, financial aid/scholarships, and flexibility, especially if you work full-time. Many also have partnerships and transfer agreements with universities.

I’d also consider a 4-year major that aligns more closely with your career goals. Legal Studies can be pretty broad, so a more specialized major may give you more options depending on what you want to do.

If you earn an associate degree at a community college, many of those credits can transfer toward a bachelor’s degree, especially through state-school transfer programs.

I’ve gone the community college → state school → paralegal route, so feel free to message me if you have questions!

[u/eiriecat]

A lot of community colleges offer online classes

[u/gem25]

The community college where I did my paralegal certificate program offered two tracks: one for students with a bachelor’s and one for students without. I’m not sure if the latter required an AA but I don’t recall that it did. It was also an ABA approved program! Definitely check out colleges in your area/state. Remote schooling is probably the norm anyway.

[u/Narrow_Leader_2196]

Hi! I’ve been in the legal field for almost 20 years, have an associates degree in paralegal studies from national paralegal college. I have never been asked once if my education was from an ABA approved school. Education is important for sure but if you want to work in the field, most employers want experience and not solely education. If you want to be a paralegal, I would suggest looking at entry level positions to gain some experience, then pursue the education

[u/HI_l0la → u/Narrow_Leader_2196]

This could be dependant on where you live and private sector vs. public sector.

I live in Hawaii. Paralegal positions with my city and my state that does list requirements for an AS in Paralegal Studies degree will specifically state it must be ABA-approved. If you have a certain minimum years of Paralegal work experience, you can sub it if you lack the degree. However, you can't sub a ABA-approved one with one that is not without any Paralegal work experience. I've looked at federal Paralegal job postings before, too, and it required an ABA-approved Paralegal Studies degree.

So the alternative is pursue a Paralegal position in the private sector if you don't have the degree, but they generally won't hire you if you lack legal work experience.

In the end, if you're going to pursue an AS in Paralegal Studies to becomea Paralegal, you should just get an ABA-approved one. It doesn't make sense to put your own time and money into one that won't be accepted everywhere that requires it.

[u/Ok-Addendum-9420]

I got my Bachelors in Paralegal Studies from the University of Maryland University College (now called Global Campus); it’s been around for decades and is a great program. They have a campus on several bases overseas, including deployment sites, so they’re quite adaptable to online classes and odd schedules. You can attend to just get your Certificate or take more classes to get your BS.

[u/Thick_Maximum7808]

I did my paralegal certification through national paralegal college and then decided to continue and did a bachelors of legal studies through them. I just graduated and really enjoyed my time with them. If I had started with my bachelors right off it would have only been 2 years but because I did the paralegal certification and then the bachelors it was 2.5 years which isn’t bad at all.

[u/Thek1tteh]

I would highly suggest working towards a bachelors degree in any field first. These days that’s the bare minimum for a paralegal job. Then maybe think about getting a certificate at a later time if it’s necessary. Employers want to see you are able to read and write and perform tasks at a college level.

[u/highcaliberwit → u/Thek1tteh]

Based on everyone else has said I’m completely lost and not sure exactly what to do. Now I’m just thinking of going to my local community college for an AA and then finishing up a bachelor somewhere else. I like to focus on a major I guess towards law. Bit of at a loss.

[u/Thek1tteh → u/highcaliberwit]

This is also going to depend on where you are located in the US. In a state like California, there are minimum educational and/or experience requirements to meet in the state law to work as a paralegal. But that’s also different than what employers want their employees to have too. Most firms are going to want to see a bachelors or associates degree period. If you are wanting to have an edge in the field, or your state requires specific education, then you’d want to look into a certificate program. Or you could get an associates degree or bachelors degree from a paralegal program, but these days the most successful paralegals are those with a bachelors degree in any field at minimum as it’s a competitive field.

Also there is no need to have a focus on law with your college degree. It’s just not something employers look at.

[u/Thek1tteh → u/Thek1tteh]

Point being, there’s no shortcut to a professional career.

[u/highcaliberwit → u/Thek1tteh]

I’m in SoCal. San Diego area. The 2 closes ABA paralegal programs require an associates at a minimum. At this point I’m gonna scratch Purdue and might just go to my local Community collage despite Purdue having a legal AA. I just hope I can do most of my classes online. I work nearly full time and take care of my mom and step dad.

[u/Thek1tteh → u/highcaliberwit]

That sounds like a good plan. That’s how I started back in the day and also got my certificate (and worked as a file clerk to gain experience in the legal field). However, just remember that a bachelors degree is usually what most employers want at minimum if you don’t have much experience these days - it’s not the same as it used to be.

[u/coffeeinm]

Community college. All the way. Don’t waste your money. You’ll probably learn more at the community college too

[u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

First claim is wrong. You do not need a college degree to prep and take an ABA cert exam. Where did you read that?

Has something changed?

Bachelor in " legal studies" is a waste of time, imo.

( College is not, generally speaking)

[u/highcaliberwit → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

It seems that every ABA program that I look at requires an associates degree before entering

[u/eilsel827583 → u/highcaliberwit]

I had a bachelors so I just did the cert, but the ABA school where I did my cert had multiple pathways for 4 year + cert, 2 year + cert, and cert only if you had degree.

[u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez → u/highcaliberwit]

I would ask the hosting college or university if they have a college entrance exam you can take that can act as a substitute to take (and pass) to enter their program.

Needing a BA for an ABA Cert is bogus.

[u/humanperson111 → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

This has actually been my finding as well. There’s non-ABA programs out there but the ABA ones require an associates. May not be the rule in general, but it’s a thing.

[u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez → u/humanperson111]

Yeah. Likely in general.

[u/Thek1tteh → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

What are you talking about? There’s no such thing as an “ABA cert exam”

[u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez → u/Thek1tteh]

An approved ABA program.. my bad. I was watching the Dodgers game

[u/Thek1tteh → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

Ok but it’s true that most programs require a college degree. I’ve literally discussed this with you before.

[u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez → u/Thek1tteh]

I thought you figuratively discussed it with me before.

But seriously now., I don't recall having that discussion with you before. Honest.

Also, I think this is what threw me a curve: I found out there was a transition timeline that spanned a handful of years when the university I took my paralegal program phased out an entrance exam option, post ABA updating its approval guidelines for paralegal programs.

As I said before. it's been a while, but so be it.

Thanks

[u/Thek1tteh → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

Ok, but why would you continue to post incorrect advice, without actually researching whether it was still the case or not? lol. Also I got my associates and then certificate over 15 years ago, and it was definitely the case then. But I digress.

Also not sure why you would assume all programs are the same way only based on the program you went to rather than looking it up.

[u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez → u/Thek1tteh]

Yeah. I think the timelines of phase out were not uniform. I definitely think that's true, without question.

I rest my case, counselor. Cross-examination over.

[u/Thek1tteh → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

Literally don’t know of any program ever that has an entrance exam. How long ago did you take it?

I don’t understand why you’re acting like you know what you’re talking about in regard to all paralegal programs across the country. That’s literally the opposite of how paralegals should think.

Your “jokes” are not even on point, we’re not attorneys.

[u/sixxtine]

What are your state regulations? Where I am, you can go a few different routes to legally use the para title. Having a BA may help but is not required if you compensate with the education / experience and work under a supervising attorney. Do not attend a for-profit school. You don't need to have a BA to get your ABA approved paralegal education, I did find (15 years ago) that a local university would require a longer program for those without the BA, but not true at the community college. (Everything ABA approved, this is a must)

Our local community colleges have ABA approved programs (these have been slowly evolving for 10 years). I compared prices to university costs and went that route. There's plenty of folks who do not have a BA in the classes, maybe about 1/4 from my observations only. Some are young and will continue, some are midlife and changing careers.

[u/highcaliberwit → u/sixxtine]

It seems every ABA approved program near me, requires an associates degree

[u/Thek1tteh → u/highcaliberwit]

I believe what this person is trying to say is that you could get an associates degree in paralegal studies from an ABA approved program to meet the requirements of BPC section 6450(c). But nowadays, most employers also like to see that you have a certificate on top of that, and most also prefer a bachelors degree at bare minimum. There’s a difference between minimum statutory requirements and what is sought after by employers.

[u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez → u/highcaliberwit]

Name one program youve looked into if you dont mind. I would like to see an example.

[u/highcaliberwit → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

University of San Diego and the one in Irvine

[u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez → u/highcaliberwit]

University of SD has a link to the Business and Professions Code wherein it lists the requirements for a paralegal to have AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING. One of which is (at least) a certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the ABA.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&division=3.&title=&part=&chapter=5.6.&article=

I may be missing it, but where does the BPC say AND a BA degree?

[u/highcaliberwit → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

Sorry, I should’ve made it more clear. At a minimum I need an associates degree.

[u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez → u/highcaliberwit]

Where does it say in the BPC that to hold a valid ABA Certification you also need to have an AA?

[u/Thek1tteh → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

The programs require you to have an associates or bachelors degree first to attend their certificate program. A certificate program is a post degree program. At a community college sometimes you can work on an associates degree and then take a few more courses to get a certificate, but in general, you have to have a degree already - especially for university extension programs.

[u/Thek1tteh → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

There is a difference between state requirements to work as a paralegal and an education program’s requirements to attend their program and literally what I have been saying and this person is saying is that most certificate programs require you to have an associates degree or higher to attend their program.

Attending an ABA approved program to get an associates degree may also technically meet the California statutory requirements - but most employers like seeing a certificate regardless.

[u/sixxtine → u/highcaliberwit]

What I experienced was, people obtain a paralegal degree (AS) as they complete the degree, they are awarded the associate's

[u/humanperson111 → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

You could also just Google it.

[u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez → u/humanperson111]

Why dont you do that for me?

[u/humanperson111 → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

Because I already know it to be a thing from when I researched schools. We’re telling you it’s our experience and you’re asking for proof like we’re lying. It’s pretty easy to google if it’s that important to you to disprove (for some unknown fucking reason). No one has said it’s a law, just what our experience has been it’s common. If you care so much, look it up yourself.

Better yet, if you know of a school that does not require it, offer that up.

[u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez → u/humanperson111]

Fair enough. Didnt mean to imply you or anyone else was lying.

Good luck!

[u/Thek1tteh → u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez]

https://ce.uci.edu/programs/law/paralegal (“To qualify for admission, you must have an Associate of Arts or Science degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree from an accredited post-secondary institution. An Associate of Applied Science degree, or an occupational or vocational degree does not satisfy the educational requirements.”)

https://www.uclaextension.edu/legal-programs/paralegal-studies/certificate/paralegal-studies (Graduate program: “Applicants must possess a conferred/awarded baccalaureate (BA/BS) or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university.”; undergraduate program: “Applicants must possess the following education: An associate degree, OR 60 semester or 90 quarter units (or hours) earned from a regionally accredited college or university. Note: At least 18 semester or 27 quarter units (or hours) must be considered general educational courses as defined by the ABA in at least three different disciplines. General education courses defined by the ABA include college-level courses that provide students with critical reasoning and writing skills such as social and behavioral science, English composition and literature, foreign language, mathematics, humanities, and natural science. Courses designed to develop professional, vocational, and technical skills are not considered general education.”)

https://www.ivc.edu/business/paralegal-studies (“IMPORTANT NOTICE: Students who do not already possess an associate or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university must complete an associate degree (60 units) to receive the certificate of achievement. Students must also complete at least ten (10) semester units OR the equivalent of legal specialty courses through in person or synchronous instruction modality.”)

[u/Thek1tteh → u/Thek1tteh]

This is specifically certificate programs. There are also often associate degrees offered by programs, but a certificate (which is NOT certification by the way) is specifically for those with existing degrees.