Good Evening,

I am finishing my 1st and last semester with Penn Foster College. I had no problem with them. I just found that I need a more hands on kind of education. By that I mean more interaction with my instructors and classmates. I have been surfing elearns and I wanted to know if anyone knows of another college that offers virtual classrooms not black board but actual classroom lectures and interaction with everyone. The onlyone I have found for my major is National Paralegal College. I love their classroom setup but I can't afford the tuiton and they do not have FA capability.

Help!

I know of one or two hybrid programs but don't know of any that are synchronous learning 100%.  Is that what you're meaning?

Hi Cajun,

I think he is referring to synchronous learning.  The thing is that that's pretty rare, most schools use readings, maybe videos, and discussion board style class discussion so that students have have the convenience of participating at any time.  If you know of something to suggest, great, because I'm drawing a blank!

-=Steve=-

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

Thank you for your help! Kaplan has what I am looking for but the price is to high for an Associates Degree. I guess I will continue with my Local Community College and take on line courses. I may be able to go into the library and check out videos and perhaps request lecture notes from my instructor who also teaches during the day time.

 

CJA

You might want to go to Legal Assistant Today (www.legalassistanttoday.com).  Go under Education...and find the school directory.  They keep a list of traditional and on-line paralegal programs/schools there.  Also lots of other good info for legal assistants on their website. 

 On NALS...the association for legal professionals (www.nals.org), you can also find out more about their Basic course, which is now being offered on-line through Stetson college.  I know this is not an assoc. degree, but is a good course for anyone that wants to go through it and then sit for the NALS certification exam(s).  I am certified through NALS' certification program as a PLS. 

 

I believe Keiser has what you are looking for, but again, they are not cheap.  Keep in mind that you will always pay much more for the synchronous learning format over the type of course delivery Penn Foster College provides.  PFC and other schools like it are very hands-off...students basically study on their own.

 It sounds to me like you would benefit more from attending a brick-and-mortar school.  There is nothing wrong with that.  Everyone has a learning style that works best for them.

 

Most ABA approved paralegal programs are only at brick-and-mortal colleges.  Pierce College has one that you can do on-line, but 3 (or so) classes are required to be taken in a class room. 

 

How important is it that a paralegal degree be ABA approved?  Just curious, what's the industry trend and expectations?  That might make for some interesting research...

CJA,

If you don't like Kaplan's fees you won't like Keiser's either.  If you're happy with your local community college and they offer the eLearning that you need, I wouldn't switch.  Community colleges are usually a very good bargain.

-=Steve=-

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

This exactly the type of learning I was referring to. Do you know of a college that uses this type of technology? I have searched and searched. You guys seem to have knowlege about such this.

Thanks- Cece & CJA

I meant, knowledge about these types of things. Sorry, busy being a mom while typing.

Yes, Kaplan is definitely expensive.  I know first hand!  However, I was willing to put up with the fees because very few online schools have paralegal programs.  Also, Kaplan is regionally accredited and RA schools are usualy more expensive than NA schools like Penn Foster.