Chapter Three
What About Online Paralegal Programs?
Online programs are becoming more and more popular today as people are looking for a convenient way to earn their degrees without having to leave home. However, you’ll want to ensure that any online programs you’re considering have several features before applying:
Online orientation. If you’ve never taken an online course before, you’ll need to become familiar with how it works. Most online courses offer online orientation for students, which is essential to understanding how the entire process works.
Student-instructor interaction. It is essential that the program you’re considering offers you easy access to your instructor. In many online programs, instructors post lectures students are required to read, and students communicate with instructors via private messages or emails. Some online programs even offer real-time chat between students and instructors. Before you choose an online program, make sure you ask the program director or the appropriate person how instructors communicate with their students.
Student-student interaction. The program you choose should offer you student to student interaction via a message board or a real-time chat. Interacting with fellow students is just as important as having interaction with your instructors.
Determine if the program is ABA-approved or ABA compliant. Just as you would with a traditional paralegal program, you’ll want to determine if the program you’re considering is ABA-approved or ABA compliant.
Keep your list of questions nearby when researching, and make sure you answer those questions that are relevant to online education. You should call the program’s director or talk with the program’s instructors to get a feel for their educational philosophies and how the program itself is run.
Next: Chapter Three: Correspondence Courses
Previous: Chapter Three: Tips for choosing the best paralegal program
Table of Contents for the Paralegal Career Guide:
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