Looking back over the 30 plus years Center for Advanced Legal Studies has specialized solely in paralegal education, we remember the early days. There were two other paralegal schools in Houston at the time we opened our doors; one was ABA approved, the other was ‘non-profit’. Their programs ranged from a short, three-month ABA approved program to a longer nine month ‘non-profit’ program.
The job market was ripe. It still is. But back then, if you could spell paralegal correctly three times in a row, you could probably find an attorney who would hire you. The profession was growing by leaps and bounds.
While we were new, we did hold regional accreditation. The other didn’t. Our paralegal certificate program contained 600 hours of intensive paralegal training, took six months to complete going full-time, and we soon easily competed with the other programs for well qualified students. Classrooms were bulging. Students who didn’t enroll at the Center went to the shorter ABA approved program, and it was soon thereafter that the non-profit program folded.
The two remaining paralegal schools in Houston co-existed for several years. Center for Advanced Legal Studies became an independent paralegal college while retaining accreditation, and the other kept their ABA approval. Both of our programs supplied the legal community with well qualified paralegals.
As time went by, they applied for accreditation to compete for the better students. Naturally, we then applied for ABA Approval. We heard all the words attributed to the ABA approval process: Arduous, rigorous, grueling, demanding, exhausting. Words that reminded me of what some of our students said about us, but words that became somewhat less threatening by combining dedicated students with quality instruction.
So, it came to pass. Center for Advanced Legal Studies’ programs became ABA Approved. We enjoyed not having to say ‘no’ when asked if our programs were ABA approved. The ‘no’ answer always seemed like an explanation should follow. The perception among some otherwise bright people, even some within the legal community, was that programs not approved by the ABA weren’t good enough.
Ironically, it was about this time that the remaining short, three-month ABA approved school folded and Center for Advanced Legal Studies was honored to provide a teach-out for their remaining students. They were excited about the opportunity and we were happy to serve.
In the years after gaining ABA approval, online instruction was in its infancy and, quite frankly, wasn’t very good. We studied it thoroughly and when technology became available that allowed students to attend live classes online, we went all in. Seriously. Students could attend live classes online, see and hear the instructor, participate in class along with their classmates, raise their hand, ask questions…
We made online classes available to students in July, 2009. We wanted a small, select group of students to attend the first sessions and we got that. Since ABA requires all students in approved programs to attend at least a portion of the program on campus, these students completed the online section and arranged to complete the on-campus requirements by relocating to Houston. They did a terrific job of pioneering our online classes. We are indebted to them for their effort and dedication to success.
Over the next few years, we continued to teach our program online and conclude the program on campus. We added Saturday classes so that students who were within reasonable travel distance could complete their on-campus requirements. To our surprise, one student flew in from Atlanta, Georgia to attend, another drove in from Texarkana, a 5 hour one way trip, several commuted from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Ft. Worth. Unfortunately, for every student who could attend, there were another three or four who couldn’t; therefore, they couldn’t graduate.
Why would a paralegal program refuse ABA Approval? By now, you probably have guessed the answer. However, we did go through our final ABA reapproval process. During the site visit, we connected the visiting team leader to our live online classes. In the live class, one student was in Hawaii, another in Dubai, others in Florida, California and Texas. It was impressive. The students, faculty, and site team leader interacted with each other as if they were all in the same room.
We were notified in August of 2012 that once again ABA approval was granted to Center for Advanced Legal Studies. This time to February, 2019! But, alas, we did not accept and voluntarily withdrew our approval. The American Bar Association rules were chiseled in stone. All students must attend a portion of their program on campus.
There you have it… if you are still looking for an ABA approved program to attend, we certainly won’t discourage you from doing so. You should check with your local community college for programs in your area. Since you must attend some of your classes on campus, local travel should not be a barrier.
On the other hand, Center for Advanced Legal Studies can bring the classroom and program to you. We are proud of our programs and of the 6,000 graduates who have successfully attended and graduated.
For further information about us, contact us at…
Co-founder and Director
Center for Advanced Legal Studies
One of the requirements of attending and graduating from an ABA approved paralegal program is that you must complete a minimum of 10 semester hours on campus. Realistically, that means you must live close enough so you can drive back and forth.
But not always… One of our students flew back and forth from Atlanta to attend class on campus, another drove from Texarkana, an easy 5½ hour one way trip, several others traveled from Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Austin, etc. to attend weekend classes on our campus in Houston to comply with this 10 semester hour requirement.
