About ABA Approved Paralegal Programs

The American Bar Association (ABA) has certain procedures established in order for a paralegal program to be designated as "ABA Approved." The approval by the ABA helps to maintain a standard of education for paralegals and a standard of teaching applications for paralegal educators.

The ABA works with the Standing Committee on Paralegals and Approval Commission to determine whether a program meets the ABA standards. The approval process is rigorous and involves a long and thorough application process for the candidate program. After evaluation of the application, an on-site visit by the Standing committee, an experienced paralegal, and the director of an ABA approved paralegal program is scheduled at the candidate institution to take a first hand account of the program. Once a program is accepted, the ABA stamp of approval must be re-approved every seven years to maintain its status.

While obtaining ABA approval is cause for recognition from the perspective of the approved program, please note that receiving this type of approval is by no means mandatory for any paralegal program and does not imply that those programs without ABA approval are not reputable or honorable institutions.

An ABA approved paralegal program may offer a wide range of educational certificates, including a completion of study certificate, a post-baccalaureate certificate, an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science certificate, a Bachelor of Arts, and post-associate certificate.

The type of certificate you choose to earn may depend on your educational background; for instance, if you have previously earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, then you may consider earning your post-baccalaureate certificate opposed to another Bachelor of Arts degree. The type of certificate you choose to earn may also depend on how much time and money you would like to invest in your education. For instance, a certificate program will likely take less time, and money, than a Bachelor of Arts degree program.

It is important to assess your own individual situation and the time and money you have to invest in a certificate before choosing which certificate program is right for you; this holds true regardless if you are looking toward attending an ABA approved paralegal program or not.

Obtaining a certificate from an ABA approved paralegal program is not mandatory to secure employment as a paralegal. While some law firms and corporations may prefer those with a certificate from an ABA approved program, it usually is not the end all be all of finding a great job. Legal experience coupled with a paralegal certificate may be an advantage over those with just a certificate from an ABA approved program.

For more information on the American Bar Association approval process, you can visit their general approval process information page. You can also look at the ABA approved programs list located on their website as well.

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