Difference Between ABA and AAfPE Programs

The legal world can be pretty chaotic, and without skilled paralegals keeping things organized, it would be even more overwhelming. If you’re thinking about stepping into the legal field as a paralegal, you’re making a smart move. It’s a career that’s in demand, offers solid pay, and lets you do meaningful work without needing to go to law school.

But here’s the thing—not all paralegal programs are created equal. If you’ve started researching schools or training options, you’ve probably seen some confusing terms thrown around, like “ABA accredited paralegal programs” or “AAfPE-member.” And if you’re scratching your head wondering what those actually mean, you’re not alone.

There are various types of paralegal education accreditation, which can often become confusing. Especially when you’re just trying to figure out where to go to school and how to start your career, it’s a lot to take in.

So, if you’ve ever wondered:

“Do I need to go to an ABA-accredited school to get hired?”
“Is AAfPE a real accreditation?”
“What’s the actual difference between these two?”
“Will either of them help me get a job faster?”

You’re in the right place.

What is an ABA Accredited Paralegal Program?

ABA stands for the American Bar Association.

Yep, that’s the big name in the legal world. They’re the people who set the standards for law schools, legal ethics, continuing education, and more. So when you see that a paralegal program is “ABA accredited,” it means the program has been given a thumbs-up from the legal industry’s top watchdog.

ABA accredited paralegal programs don’t just get approved by paying a fee or receiving automatic recognition. Schools must undergo a rigorous review process. This includes looking at things like:

Course content
Teacher qualifications
Resources like law libraries and tech
Job placement services
Internship opportunities

They’re making sure you’re actually getting a quality legal education—not just paying thousands of dollars for a fancy piece of paper. There are only 19 ABA-approved paralegal programs in the United States, scattered across eight different private organizations.

When choosing a program, many students weigh the benefits of an ABA versus a non-ABA paralegal certificate to determine which one aligns better with their career goals and employer expectations. We advise pursuing ABA-accredited paralegal programs, as employers are more likely to recognize them.

However, beyond ABA, there is another important player in the world of paralegal education: AAfPE.

What is an AAfPE Accredited Paralegal Program?

The American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) is another important organization in paralegal education. Unlike the ABA, which examines the entire legal profession, AAfPE focuses specifically on paralegal training. AfPE-accredited paralegal programs underwent a meticulous evaluation to demonstrate that they offer paralegal education with the solid support and resources needed to help students succeed.

However, AAfPE doesn’t actually accredit programs in the same way the ABA does. Instead, schools become members of AAfPE.

That might sound like less of a big deal, but hold up—AAfPE paralegal school standards are still high. They utilize AAfPE’s core curriculum standards and continually work to enhance the quality of their teaching, technology, and student support.

AAfPE gives schools access to:

Best practices in paralegal education
Curriculum guidelines
Teaching resources
Networking and support

ABA vs AAfPE: Key Differences

So, what’s the actual difference between ABA and AAfPE?

Let’s do a quick side-by-side comparison:

Feature	ABA	AAfPE
What it stands for	American Bar Association	American Association for Paralegal Education
Type of recognition	Official accreditation	Membership (not formal accreditation)
Who approves programs	ABA Committee on Paralegals	AAfPE members voluntarily follow standards
Curriculum standards	Very strict	Still high, but more flexible
Employer perception	Highly recognized and respected	Respected, especially in academic circles
Accessibility	Rare for fully online programs	More flexible with online and hybrid formats
How Many Schools?	197	Almost 400 members, but not all are ABA-accredited

So, which should you choose: ABA vs AAfPE paralegal? The answer depends on your personal goals. We will talk more about this later.

How Employers View Each Accreditation

What is the best accreditation for a paralegal program? Which do employers prefer more?

In general:

ABA accreditation tends to hold more weight in law firms, government offices, and courts. It tells them, “This person received a top-notch education.”
AAfPE membership is more well-known among educators and some employers who are tuned in to paralegal-specific circles.

That said, not every employer is obsessed with accreditation. Some care more about:

Your GPA
Your work experience or internship
Whether you’re certified (like the NALA CP exam)
How you interview

Also, where you live matters! In places like California or New York, employers will favor graduates of ABA-accredited paralegal programs. In other areas, they might just be happy to hire someone who has the training and hustle.

Which Accreditation Is Better for Online Paralegal Programs?

Online learning has been a lifesaver for many people. Online classes give you the flexibility to study on your schedule, from your couch, or even while sipping coffee at your favorite café.

But here’s where it gets a little tricky when it comes to accredited online paralegal programs.

The ABA is pretty strict about what they’ll approve. They want programs that offer plenty of in-person learning, hands-on experience, and face-to-face interaction. Because of this, they rarely give their stamp of approval to fully online programs.

So, if you’re thinking, “I want to do everything online,” chances are that program won’t be ABA-accredited. And that can matter to some employers down the road.

Now, here’s where AAfPE comes in. They’re a lot more relaxed about online and hybrid formats. They understand that times are changing, and many students need that flexibility. So, AAfPE supports many programs that are either fully online or combine online learning with some in-person components. These programs still stick to good curriculum standards and aim to prepare you well for the job.

If you’re leaning toward online learning, you’ll probably find yourself looking at AAfPE-member schools—or even some programs that aren’t officially accredited but still offer solid training.

That said, when choosing between an ABA vs non-ABA paralegal certificate/degree program, there are a few things you definitely want to check out before signing up:

How good are their job placement rates? (Basically, how many grads actually get hired after finishing?)
Do they offer internship opportunities? (Internships are huge for getting real-world experience.)
What kind of tech support and student services do they provide? (Because you don’t want to be stuck on your own when tech glitches happen!)
And, very importantly, how do employers in your area feel about the program? (Some places care a lot about accreditation; others just want to know you’ve got the skills.)

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Program

Doing a thorough paralegal program accreditation comparison will help you choose the program that best fits your career goals and the job market in your area. Now, let’s get a bit personal. Ask yourself:

1. What are your career goals?

Want to work at a big law firm or government agency? ABA might give you a leg up.
Going into corporate, nonprofit, or small-firm work? A solid AAfPE-member program could be just fine.

2. Where do you live?

Check with local employers. If they love ABA grads, that’s good to know. If they don’t care, that opens more options for you.

3. How do you like to learn?

Need flexibility? Online or hybrid programs (often through AAfPE) might suit you better.
Prefer a traditional classroom vibe? ABA-accredited schools often require it.

4. What’s your budget?

ABA programs can sometimes cost more. But not always. Community colleges with ABA approval are often super affordable. Do some digging!

It can get tricky and confusing when choosing between ABA vs AAfPE paralegal. Our best advice is to seek to talk to people. Reach out to program advisors, current students, or even paralegals already working in your area. Ask them what helped them most and what they wish they’d known before choosing a program.

Final Thoughts: Which Path Is Right for You?

Let’s have a quick recap of the difference between ABA and AAfPE programs.

ABA = More traditional, face-to-face, highly respected by many employers.
AAfPE = Flexible, supportive community for schools, often better for online learners.

Here’s the bottom line: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. ABA and AAfPE paralegal school standards are designed to give you a strong start in your paralegal career. The “best” one depends on your personal goals, lifestyle, budget, and where you want to work.

Here are a few helpful resources you can use to research accredited paralegal schools: