What is an ABA approved paralegal program?
The American Bar Association has a program of approving legal assistant training programs, which meet their guidelines. Seeking ABA approval is voluntary on the part of the institution. Some quality programs have chosen not to seek approval. However, the ABA guidelines are useful in evaluating a program. For further information about the ABA guidelines, contact the American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Legal Assistants (SCOLA), 750 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611 or visit SCOLA’s website at http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/legalassistants/home.html The website of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) also provides helpful information, including a roster of member institutions and a Statement of Academic Quality adopted by the AAfPE membership in October of 1997. AAfPE website is at http://www.aafpe.org/. Some employers will hire only graduates from an ABA approved paralegal program. A Directory of Colleges offering Paralegal programs approved by t
