Sponsored Listing. Although it is not necessary for students to complete an ABA-approved program since paralegals aren’t subject to any state licensing or regulatory requirements, many employers look to hire legal support staff that have earned their degree through one of the ABA’s approved programs. The self-paced program is completely online and approved by the UC-Davis School of Law. ABA Approval Requirements Deciding to embark on the path toward a law career is a serious decision. Graduate from an American Bar Association (ABA)-approved paralegal education program; Virginia Paralegal Online and Campus Schools. ABA-approval, on the other hand, applies only to the paralegal application , instead of being a school-wide certification. The Guide includes … While none of the programs are 100% online, they are all distance-learning oriented, with ten credit hours of Legal Specialty courses being taken in a traditional (face-to-face) format (required for ABA-approval). A few schools offer online courses as part of the curriculum, but there are not any fully online paralegal certificate programs approved by the ABA. Students will learn essential legal skills, contract law, tort law, and an understanding of California-specific procedures for paralegals over 100 contact hours of study. 2020 Edition: The Practical Guide to the ABA Approval Process The Guide has been revised to reflect the 2018 changes to the Guidelines, the recent amendments to the Guidelines and updates to the Electronic Reporting System. View - Directory. ABA-approved paralegal education programs are available in a number of formats and lengths. Students can become a certified paralegal in six months. Among accredited online paralegal certificate programs is the Certificate in Paralegal Studies at the University of Washington. July 17, 2020. Affordable ABA-Approved Paralegal Certificate Program. Being a private college specializing solely in paralegal education, ABA approval of our programs provided us with a marketing tool recognized by some as the symbol of excellence in paralegal education. Search the ABA Approved Paralegal Education Program Directory to find information on 260 ABA Approved Paralegal Programs. Students that participate in this program will leave with a solid understanding of the underpinnings of the United States Legal System, as well as the many skills necessary for a career in law. Approved by the ABA, SMWC has a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies, an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies, and a Paralegal Studies Certificate program. A law degree can take years of studying, learning, and passing exams before earning it, and most entry-level careers in law require field-relevant job experience. Since ABA-approved apps will inevitably be put in grade colleges which hold regional certification, you can imagine ABA-approval as another layer of confidence. This, along with our own pursuit of excellence, enabled us to rank #1 in Texas and in the top 10 nationally in conferring paralegal credentials to graduates.