Understanding ABA and AAfPE

Paralegals play vital roles in the legal industry (e.g., supporting lawyers). Becoming a paralegal requires formal education and training, too. Aspiring paralegals can earn an associate’s degree or a certificate for starters.

Whatever your choice in paralegal education, check for ABA or AAfPE accreditation. These professional organizations have shaped and continue to shape the paralegal industry.

Of course, the ABA and AAfPE are distinct bodies with independent functions. Both bodies, nonetheless, have crucial roles in:

Defining the standards of paralegal education
Granting accreditation to paralegal programs
Providing paralegals with professional development opportunities

Indeed, the ABA and AAfPE ensure paralegals have the appropriate competencies and credentials.

Do you want to know more about the ABA and AAfPe and their impact on your career goals? Read on because we’ll take a closer look at their roles and relationships.

Related:

What Is ABA?

Founded in 1878, the ABA or American Bar Association is a prominent legal organization. Today, it has more than 375,000 members from across the United States. Membership is voluntary, and applicants can be:

Licensed attorneys in good standing
Non-lawyers interested in the legal profession (e.g., paralegals as Associate Members)

The ABA also plays a crucial role in paralegal education and training.

Role in the Accreditation of Paralegal Programs

The main role of ABA in paralegal education is accreditation of paralegal programs. ABA accreditation means that the paralegal program:

Meets the current education standards
Provides students with relevant training
Enables graduates to take certification exams

If you want to start your paralegal journey on the right foot, choose an accredited program. You’re prepping for the challenges of the paralegal profession if you do.

Standards and Requirements for ABA Accreditation

ABA approved paralegal programs meet detailed criteria and requirements, including:

Curriculum standards (i.e., comprehensive coverage of core legal subjects and hands-on training
Faculty qualifications (i.e., advanced academic credentials and legal experience)
Program length and structure (i.e., degree or certificate)
Student support services (e.g., academic advising, career services, internships)

The ABA performs regular accreditation reviews, too.

Importance of ABA Accreditation for Job Opportunities and Career Development

ABA accreditation is crucial for your job prospects and career growth. First, employers prefer or prioritize graduates of accredited paralegal programs. You’re seen as being prepared for legal work, thanks to your rigorous education.

Second, you’re more competitive for career growth opportunities because of it. Of course, extensive work experience and advanced training help.

What Is the AAfPE?

The American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) was founded in 1981. Today, the AAfPE membership comes in two forms – individual and institutional. There are more than 450 active members as of this writing.

Role of AAfPE in Supporting Paralegal Educators and Programs

The main role of AAfPE in paralegal education is to support paralegal educators and programs. In doing so, it also improves the students’ learning experiences. Educator empowerment boosts student engagement and success.

AAfPE supports paralegal educators and programs by:

Offering ongoing professional development opportunities (e.g., workshops and conferences)
Networking and collaboration opportunities
Resources and guidance for individual educators and institutional programs

Resources AAfPE Offers to Paralegal Educators, Students, and Programs

The wide range of AAfPE resources include:

Curriculum resources for educators and programs (e.g., teaching guides)
Legal publications (e.g., journals and newsletters)
Student resources (e.g., career guidance)

AAfPE also offers annual webinars and conferences for educators and learners alike.

AAfPE Collaborations to Advance the Paralegal Profession

We love that professional bodies work together to promote the paralegal field. The AAfPE collaborates with the ABA, NALA, and NFPA on various projects. These collaborations enable them to protect the interests of paralegals, among others.

The Role of ABA and AAfPE in Paralegal Accreditation

ABA and AAfPE accreditation are different. ABA accreditation ensures that the paralegal program standards are met.

Note that it isn’t mandatory for all paralegal programs. But ABA accreditation means you’re getting the best paralegal education.

The importance of accreditation also lies in employer recognition and school reputation. Accredited schools are more prestigious than unaccredited schools. Employers are more likely to view their graduates as job- and career-ready.

AAfPE accreditation isn’t an accreditation per se. Instead, AAfPE provides resources and guidelines for paralegal education. Their support boosts the quality of paralegal education, too.

The rigorous ABA AAfPE accreditation process includes these key steps:

Program review held by the school and program (i.e., self-review)
Comprehensive program review by ABA’s accreditation panel
Site visits and assessments

Accredited programs undergo regular accreditation reviews, too. These reviews ensure that, indeed, the programs continue to meet standards.

The Relationship Between ABA and AAfPE

The robust ABA AAfPE collaboration improves the quality of paralegal education. ABA focuses on accreditation for rigorous and relevant paralegal education. AAfPE offers extensive resources and useful guidance for paralegal educators.

In short, their functions are different but complementary. By working together, these bodies ensure that paralegal education is on track.

The ongoing ABA AAfPE partnership also has shared goals that promote the profession.

Enhance the paralegal profession’s public image. Both bodies strive to highlight the value of paralegals and their roles in the legal industry.
Develop national standards for paralegal education. Both bodies conduct dialogues and research to ensure relevant standards, too.
Build career opportunities for all paralegals. These include networking events, industry conferences, and workshops.

The strong ABA AAfPE relationship has borne abundant fruit, too. Examples include joint advocacy programs, annual conferences, and shared resources.

ABA and AAfPE members can tap into their extensive network, too. Networking comes with many benefits, such as job referrals, mentoring, and coaching.

How ABA and AAfPE Influence Paralegal Programs

The ABA and AAfPE are the driving forces in paralegal education. We cannot deny the huge impact of ABA AAfPE on paralegal programs. Look at the best paralegal program curriculum and see the impact of both bodies.

The ABA sets the definitive guidelines for paralegal education. Programs must design their curricula based on these guidelines.

Then, AAfPE promotes best practices among paralegal educators. AAfPE provides resources and guidelines for paralegal educators to:

Keep updated and adapt to the latest industry trends
Improve their curriculum, courses, and learning outcomes
Pursue professional development/continuing education opportunities

AAfPE empowers paralegal educators to become the best at what they do. In doing so, it pushes the paralegal profession into prestige and prominence.

The significant ABA AAfPE influence is also evident in these areas:

Teaching methods. Both bodies emphasize a well-rounded paralegal education.
Legal technology integration. The ABA encourages programs to provide courses in legal technology and related topics. AAfPE offers courses and workshops on these subjects, too.
Field placement opportunities. Many ABA-accredited programs offer internship opportunities. AAfPE encourages schools and educators to include internships in their programs.

Indeed, both the ABA and AAfPE have a direct impact and influence on paralegal programs. These cover their policies, course structures, and outcomes.

The Benefits of Attending ABA and AAfPE Accredited Programs

Consider these benefits of ABA accredited paralegal programs. You’ll agree that, indeed, these are your best choices for paralegal education.

Meet the eligibility requirements for professional certification. You don’t have to earn it, but you’re well-advised to be a certified paralegal.
Be more competitive for entry-level positions. Then, with relevant work experience, you’re more competitive for promotions, too.
Open doors to better career prospects. Again, employers prefer or require applicants to be from ABA and AAfPE accredited paralegal programs.
Tap into excellent networking opportunities with your peers and industry leaders.

Career opportunities ABA AAfPE accredited programs open create a strong foundation for your success.

How to Find ABA and AAfPE Accredited Programs

Here are useful tips to find ABA accredited paralegal programs.

Check the directory of ABA-accredited paralegal programs.
Look for local programs first. Then, consider online and hybrid programs if you want more flexibility.
Consider the program’s reputation, structure, and cost. Look at the career and student support services, too.

You should also consider websites, resources, and databases. Doing so means expanding your search for ABA and AAfPE accredited paralegal programs. Check out these resources:

NALA
NFPA
ParalegalEDU.org

Ask important questions, too, when considering accredited paralegal schools.

Do you offer specializations?
Are there field placement or internship opportunities?
What are the graduation and employment rates?
What’s the alumni network like?

It’s easy to find accredited paralegal programs. The trick is in choosing the right one for yourself.

Conclusion

In conclusion, always check for ABA and AAfPE accreditation first. The benefits of ABA accredited programs include quality education and employer recognition.

You’ll be more competitive for jobs and promotions. Plus, excellent paralegal career development opportunities will come your way.

We can’t predict the future of paralegal education with 100% certainty. But, we can predict a bright future for paralegals. We have the ABA and AAeFP, among other movers and shakers, to thank for it.

So, choose accredited paralegal programs. You’ll agree that it’s the start of your long-term success as a paralegal.