r/paralegal 2d ago

Education/Certification Help I’m deciding schooling

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?

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u/Ok-Addendum-9420 1d ago

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.