1. Does the ABA allow fully online programs?
Answer: Yes, as long as nine semester credits of legal specialty courses (or the equivalent) are delivered through synchronous instruction. The required synchronous instruction can take place through traditional classroom face to face instruction or through remote synchronous instruction that includes in real time faculty-to-student and student-to-student interaction. A program delivered 100% through Zoom could qualify for ABA approval. G-302.J.3
2. Does the ABA allow a program to have a fully digital library?
Answer: Yes, a program can satisfy the Guidelines requirements with a fully digital library. Programs with a solely electronic library must ensure the digital resources are relevant to and adequate for the courses being taught, and that students have sufficient access to the resources. The program director is responsible for evaluating the adequacy of the resources. G-303.A, B and H.
3. Does the ABA allow programs to offer Certificates which include less than 18 semester credits (or the equivalent) of legal specialty course work?
Answer: Yes, but they are not considered approved program options. Requests to offer “short-term certificates” or “stackable certificates,” both of which include fewer than 18 semester credits (or the equivalent) of legal specialty course work, must be submitted to the ABA in advance of implementation. It will be reviewed for the granting of a waiver of the provision prohibiting the simultaneous offering of approved and unapproved programs or program option. For both "short-term certificates" or "stackable certificates" all program literature must clearly indicate that they are not approved program options and they do not prepare students to work as paralegals. G-103.D. and E; G-106.A.
4. Can an ABA approved program accept transfer credits for legal specialty courses?
Answer: Yes, programs can accept legal specialty course transfer credits from both ABA approved and non-ABA approved programs if the coursework meets the course objectives and practical skills to be developed for the course for which credit is being awarded, meets the needs of the legal community the program serves, and is comparable to course work offered within the program. The credits must be approved for transfer by the program director or a qualified faculty member. The program must have a written transfer policy available to students and prospective students. There must also be a limit on the number of credits which can be earned through transfer. G-302.I.7.
5. Can students still in high school enroll in legal specialty courses?
Answer: Yes, programs can enroll high school students in legal specialty courses if the students meet course prerequisites. Programs who want to offer legal specialty courses at high schools or other locations which have not been approved by the ABA must report the additional location as a major change. G-103.F
6. Does institutional assessment satisfy the ABA assessment requirements?
Answer: Institutional assessment will likely not satisfy the ABA assessment requirements, although some elements of institutional assessment plans, activities, measures, and results may be used as part of ABA program assessment. Guideline G-301.E and F. specify the necessary elements in the ABA required program assessment plan. Programs must have a written organized plan, seek input from graduates and employers as part of the assessment process, and prepare a periodic written assessment report which synthesizes and analyzes assessment findings demonstrating how the program is meeting its stated goals and objectives. G-301.E. and F.
7. How does someone qualify to be a “general public” member of the Advisory Committee?
Answer: A member of the general public is someone who brings a broad public perspective to the Committee. The person can be a graduate of the institution, but cannot be a program graduate or current employee of the institution. Examples of people who might bring a broad public perspective to the Committee are local business and civic leaders, government officials, individuals who work in marketing, public relations, human resources, or IT. G-203.B.8.
8. How frequently must the program gather information on employment and/or educational status of graduates?
Answer: The information about employment and/or educational status of graduates must be gathered once within six months of student graduation. This information constitutes the program’s placement records which must be kept for a minimum of seven years. G-502.D
9. Once a program is ready for a Site Visit, how soon will the visit take place?
Answer: There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends upon several factors including the number of visits currently waiting to be scheduled in the ABA queue and the availability of volunteers. All site visitors are volunteers. They often are employed full time in the legal field or in education which makes their availability somewhat limited. The ABA Site Visit Coordinator will work to match the program’s availability for a Site Visit with the availability of the volunteers. It is not unusual for it to take 3-6 months to coordinate and host the visit once the ABA deems the program is ready for a visit.
10. Does an approved program lose its approval status if its seven-year period of approval ends before the ABA House of Delegates can grant it reapproval status?
Answer: The Standing Committee on Paralegals can recommend that the program approval be extended by the ABA House of Delegates until such time as the program is moved through the reapproval process by the ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals. The program’s approved status remains in place. G-104.F
Access the ABA Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs.
For any other questions, contact ABA staff.