Paralegal Certificate from a non-ABA Accredited Program

Did you know that paralegals earn $61,010/year in median wages (BLS, May 2024)? The highest earners took in more than $98,990/year. Indeed, now is the best time to become a paralegal.

How can you become one? Aspiring paralegals can meet the education requirement via a certificate in paralegal studies programs. The admission requirements differ by program. These can be a high school diploma, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree. College-level credits and relevant work experience may also be considered.

However, not all certificates in paralegal studies programs are equal. There’s an ongoing debate between ABA-accredited and non-ABA accredited paralegal certificate programs.

What is ABA accreditation in the first place? The American Bar Association is a professional organization of lawyers and law students in the US. ABA accredits law schools and approves paralegal education programs.

Which one is the best option between accredited and non-accredited programs? Will completion of a non-ABA accredited paralegal certificate program be worth it? What can you do to leverage it?

These are the questions that we’ll answer in this article. We’ll also cover their costs, accessibility, and employment prospects.

Understanding ABA Accreditation

Let’s dive deeper into the importance of ABA accreditation in paralegal programs.

ABA and Its Role in Approving Paralegal Education Programs

ABA is the foremost accreditation body for law schools in the United States. In fact, graduation from an ABA-accredited school is a must for aspiring lawyers.

Furthermore, ABA also approves paralegal education programs at various levels, including certificates. ABA-approved programs usually have experienced faculty, institutional support, and a strong legal curriculum. Students then receive a quality education in line with the legal profession’s standards.

But ABA approval isn’t compulsory for paralegal education programs. In fact, it’s a voluntary process with selective criteria. At present, less than 25% of paralegal education programs have ABA approval.

Benefits of Attending an ABA-approved School

But there are good reasons why ABA approved paralegal programs are popular.

Their standardized curriculum means students receive a comprehensive paralegal education. Some of the courses are legal research and writing, ethics, and practical training.
Law firms and legal departments recognize these programs for their quality education.

But that doesn’t mean either that non-ABA accredited paralegal certificate programs don’t have their merits. Students also receive quality paralegal education in these programs.

There’s also the fact that not all employers demand ABA approval. Yes, some prefer it, but not all look for it.

Many employers consider effective skills, strong work ethic, and relevant experience. You can emphasize these points, if necessary, in your applications.

What Is a Non-ABA Accredited Paralegal Certificate?

Now, let’s take a closer look at non-ABA accredited programs and their merits.

Definition of Non-ABA Accredited Paralegal Programs

These programs prepare students for paralegal work but don’t have formal ABA approval. Community colleges, vocational schools, and universities offer them. Online colleges, such as Purdue Global, also offer them.

But the absence of ABA approval doesn’t mean quality education isn’t on the table. The best programs offer a solid education in legal research, writing, and principles. Check out programs offered by the University of Georgia and the University of Texas.

Reasons for Non-pursuance of ABA Approval

Non-ABA accredited paralegal certificate programs don’t seek ABA approval for these reasons.

Cost: The ABA approval process is neither easy nor affordable for many programs. The ABA has strict standards and demands the submission of detailed supporting documents. The regular reviews add to the costs, too.
Program format: The ABA’s specific guidelines on courses and their delivery, among others, aren’t for every program. Online and hybrid programs usually don’t seek ABA approval. This is because of ABA’s strict in-person instruction requirement, among other reasons.

That said, non-ABA approval doesn’t mean non-legitimate. Many non-ABA approved programs have established an excellent reputation in the legal profession.

Check out UC Berkeley and Duke University for their excellent paralegal programs. Here, the answer to the question, “Is a paralegal certificate worth it?” is a definite “Yes!”

These aren’t accredited paralegal schools per se – theirs is regional accreditation. But their standout reputation is enough to attract the best students.

Comparing ABA and Non-ABA Accredited Programs

Before deciding between accredited and non-accredited programs, know their differences first:

	ABA-accredited Programs	Non-ABA Accredited Programs
Curriculum Standards	Met ABA’s rigorous standards, including in-person instruction and specific coursework	Vary widely. Courses and their sequence and learning outcomes aren’t standardized.
Instructor qualifications	Faculty usually have J.D. degrees and significant legal experience	Faculty credentials vary but usually include J.D. degrees and significant legal experience, too.
Practicum Opportunities	Offer internships, moot courts, and other hands-on experiences	Offer internships, moot courts, and other hands-on experiences. However, there may be limited opportunities in some programs.
Online vs. in-person learning	In-person instruction is a strict requirement. But there are some online and hybrid programs with ABA approval now.	More likely to be in online and hybrid formats. Non-traditional students are the usual audience.
Overall Cost	Possibly higher tuition and fees	Tend to be more affordable
Time to Complete	Longer completion times (6-12 months)	Faster completion times (3-6 months)

Hybrid and online paralegal programs are popular because of their maximum flexibility. You can study at your own time and pace (i.e., self-paced options). You can also access learning materials anytime, anywhere with an Internet-connected device.

Job Market Realities: Does Accreditation Matter?

There’s a strong demand for paralegals since the legal industry is an integral part of society. The wide-ranging paralegal job prospects include law firms and corporate legal departments. Government agencies, nonprofits, and insurance companies are also popular.

But you must deal with real-world expectations about ABA accreditation. Some employers strongly prefer ABA-accredited graduates. This is usually true among prestigious law firms and corporate legal departments.

Others care more about experience, certification, and skillset. Smaller firms or companies in rural areas tend to use these as their criteria.

Indeed, excellent career opportunities for paralegals exist in urban and rural areas. Your job is to find and leverage them to your advantage. It doesn’t matter whether you’re from an ABA-accredited or non-ABA accredited program.

What matters more is your work ethic, practical skills, and willingness to learn. You can also supplement your formal education with internships and voluntary legal work.

Better yet, boost your employability by earning national certifications from the following:

National Association of Legal Assistants (e.g., Certified Paralegal)
National Federation of Paralegal Associations (e.g., Core Registered Paralegal)

In the end, it isn’t what’s on a piece of paper. It’s what’s in your brain and what you bring to the table.

Pros and Cons of Non-ABA Accredited Certificates

Pros:

Lower tuition
Flexible scheduling
Often faster to complete
More online options

Cons:

May be less recognized by employers
Limited access to some internship opportunities
Might not qualify for some certifications

How to Evaluate a Non-ABA Accredited Paralegal Program

So, how to become a certified paralegal? You start by considering your options in paralegal certificate programs. Of the paralegal education requirements, it’s the fastest route. You can earn a certificate in 3-12 months, depending on the program.

At this point, you already know that we recommend non-ABA accredited programs, too. But don’t choose at random, either. You must look for these aspects to make the right choice.

Institutional accreditation
Course offerings and practical training
Job placement assistance
Graduate reviews and outcomes

Then, you should ask these questions to an admissions officer.

Who teaches the courses? What are their professional credentials?
Are the classes offered in-person, online, or both?
What are the available legal research resources and tools?
Are there student support services, and what are their scope?
What’s the total cost of the program and available financial aid?

Who Should Consider a Non-ABA Accredited Certificate?

Career changers who want a quick entry into the legal field
Working adults who’ll enjoy the flexibility of online and hybrid programs
Students in states or regions without many ABA-approved schools
Persons interested in gaining paralegal work experience and being certified later

Conclusion: Is It Worth It?

Yes, earning a certificate in paralegal studies from a non-ABA accredited program is worth it. First, the paralegal salary and job outlook are excellent. You’ll find a strong demand for your skills and enjoy good compensation.

Second, the non-monetary rewards of paralegal work make the challenges worth it. You can make a positive impact on people’s lives – think Erin Brockovich.

The key to making your certificate worth it is to leverage it. Highlight your legal knowledge and skills learned from the non-ABA accredited program. Make it your springboard for paralegal certifications that don’t need ABA-accredited education.

Indeed, employability isn’t only about accreditation. It’s also about your skills, your extensive and supportive network, and your certifications.

It’s also important to choose the right non-ABA accredited paralegal certificate program. You must determine your career goals and financial resources. Then, do your research on the crucial features of these programs – cost, delivery, and outcomes.