Paralegal Blog

The Importance of Accreditation

Nov 12, 2015 3:12:13 PM

[Updated March 30, 2022]
The first step to becoming a paralegal is to get your degree or certificate from an accredited institution. Accreditation gives merit to any credential.

What is accreditation? The goal of accreditation is to ensure that institutions of higher education meet acceptable levels of quality. Accreditation in the United States involves non-governmental entities (accrediting organizations) as well as federal and state government agencies (these three entities are formally known as the Triad). Accreditation's quality assurance function is one of the three main elements of oversight governing the Higher Education Act's (HEA's) federal student aid programs. In order for students to receive federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education (Department) for postsecondary study, the institution must be accredited by a "nationally recognized" accrediting agency.¹

Topics: online classes, paralegal certificate, credentials, education and training

ABA Approved Online Paralegal Program?

Posted by Doyle R. Happe, Director

Nov 5, 2015 1:05:31 PM

Doyle R. Happe
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.

Topics: online classes, career, technology, education and training

Five Tips for Managing Speaker's Anxiety

Posted by Gretchen Havens

Mar 19, 2014 7:38:00 PM

fear of public speaking If you dread the mere thought of “public speaking,” you are among millions of individuals who feel the same way. Giving a speech ranks above snakes, death and financial ruin in the hierarchy of human fears. Furthermore, it doesn’t take a large audience to trigger panic. Just presenting material out loud to one person can set your heart pounding and your mouth feeling as dry as the Gobi Desert.

You may think that, as a paralegal, you will never have to give a speech. But if you define a speech as any information you prepare and deliver verbally to another person, or a group, then you could find yourself becoming a “speaker” fairly often.

Topics: faculty, education and training

Online Paralegal Certificate and Degree Programs - Live Classes!!

Posted by Eric H. Happe

Feb 11, 2014 11:30:00 AM

Part 2: Web Conferencing (Live Paralegal Classes)

This series addresses some technical issues important for anyone thinking about taking paralegal classes online. In Part 1 of this series, I discussed the importance of Learning Management Systems. I would like now to discuss the synchronous component of our online paralegal classes, Blackboard Collaborate.

Some may think of online or distance learning as completely asynchronous, meaning students and instructors access course content at different times and post assignments and updates periodically. This is indeed an effective and necessary component of distance learning, but unfortunately doesn't provide the synchronous or real-time component many enjoy and expect when taking classes.

Topics: online classes

Academic Dean's Commitment To Paralegal Students

Posted by Gail Armatys

Jan 31, 2014 11:06:00 AM

Thomas B. Swanson, J.D.
Academic Dean and Faculty

"Students realize that I'm committed to them entering the field and doing well..."

An Original Paralegal Instructor

Thomas Swanson is an original. He was the first teacher that the Center for Advanced Legal Studies hired 27 years ago and his crusty charm, self-effacing humor, and extensive knowledge of the law make him someone to impress and emulate for students and faculty alike.

An Original Paralegal

Born in Washington, D.C., Swanson served in the United States Air Force from 1971 to 1976 where he worked primarily as a paralegal. He received a Commendation Medal for his outstanding service as an investigator in the USAF Foreign Claims Commission in Taipei, Taiwan. After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida, he came to Houston, where he entered the South Texas College of Law, graduating with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence. He was licensed as Texas attorney by the Supreme Court of Texas in May of 1981. After having worked for a number of years at an established Houston law firm, Swanson started his own firm in 1986.

Topics: faculty, online classes, education and training