Paralegal schools are classified as either accredited or unaccredited. A paralegal school may be accredited by a variety of organizations. Paralegals must be aware, however, that not all "accredited" paralegal schools are ABA-accredited. This distinction is very important. Although obtaining a certificate from an unaccredited paralegal school or non-ABA accredited school may lead to employment as a paralegal or legal assistant, most employers will require either graduation from a paralegal school accredited by the American Bar Association, or holding a college degree from an accredited college with an associate, bachelor, masters, or Ph.D. degree in paralegal studies. The official ABA website contains a directory of ABA-approved paralegal schools.
ABA-accredited paralegal schools may require that an applicant for admission have at least a GED. Many ABA-accredited paralegal schools require that applicants have an undergraduate degree, although it does not necessarily have to be a degree in a law-related field. Applicants should be able to provide college transcripts from all schools previously attended.
Paralegal courses can be described in two contexts; legal theory and practical applications. Paralegals must learn legal theory, including common law and case law. They must also be able to practice their profession by applying that knowledge to real-life, practical situations. Basic legal coursework includes studying state, federal, and local laws and learning the basic rules that apply in fields such as family law, bankruptcy, torts, contracts, criminal law, real estate and probate law, among others. Coursework using practical applications teaches students how to research laws, identify applicable laws, study court cases, draft legal documents and internal memorandums, and interview clients. Students will also study ethical principles in the practice of law such as maintaining client confidentiality and conflicts of interest. Paralegals must know the legal boundaries that prevent them from engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. Most paralegal training programs include serving an internship prior to graduation.
Many, but not all, paralegal schools participate in federal student financial aid programs. Students may qualify for Pell Grants as well as government and private student loan programs. Students who need financial aid in order to attend paralegal school should inquire about the availability of financial aid from the paralegal school prior to applying for admission. Scholarships may also assist prospective students in obtaining funds to attend school.