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American Bar Association
The American Bar Association has been involved in promoting the
paralegal career since 1968 and has been approving paralegal education
programs since 1975. The approval process is voluntary since it
is not required by any governmental agency. To be approved, a program
must be offered by an institution that is accredited by an accrediting
agency on an approved list and must meet standards relating to administration,
resources, curriculum and academic policies, faculty and program
direction, admissions standards and practices, student services
including placement and counseling, library, and facilities.
Programs seeking approval must submit a detailed self-evaluation
report with supporting documents and are visited by an evaluation
team. Approval is granted for a period of seven years. As of April
2004, the paralegal programs at more than 250 institutions (more
than 95% of which are AAfPE members) across the country have been
approved. A few new programs are usually approved each year. In
some metropolitan areas, employers require potential candidates
to possess a credential from an ABA-approved program.
American Association for Paralegal
Education
The American Association for Paralegal Education, established in
1981, is an organization that represents paralegal education programs
and has approximately 350 institutional members. Its primary mission
is to promote high standards in paralegal education. In its Statement
of Academic Quality, AAfPE acknowledges that the education of a
paralegal requires a unique curriculum that covers both substantive
legal knowledge and practical skills.
This intellectually demanding course of study should be designed
to provide instruction in the competencies that paralegals need
as professionals. AAfPE recognizes seven essential components of
a quality paralegal education program: curriculum development, facilities,
faculty, marketing and promotion, paralegal instruction, student
services and related competencies.
 Download
AAfPE Core Competencies for Paralegal Programs
Download
AAfPE Statement on Academic Quality
Download
AAfPE Policy Statement Regarding Short-term Programs
Download
AAfPE Educational Standards
* Continue to "Evaluating
Paralegal Programs"
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