Need Advice about Online Education and Going Back to School Online

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

donald11 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:59:00 GMT

However, I must add that I don't necessarily agree that a paralegal degree is more limiting than a business degree. With a paralegal degree, there are many non-legal jobs you can get into. Plus, there are far more college students majoring in business than paralegal studies, so there is a good chance that your competition for a job (assuming you plan to leave your current employer) will be stiff. I thought about getting a business degree, but then I asked myself what I am going to do with a degree that almost everyone else has. With a paralegal degree, I can stand out from the crowd better and if I need a business education, I can always get an MBA.

However, do what is best for your situation. If you think a busienss degree is the best option, then go for it!

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

donald11 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:05:07 GMT

congratualtions untilTexan! I graduate from Kaplan on the 21st of this month, so you will start the term immediately after the one I'm in now.

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

untallTexan — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:34:10 GMT

Steve and Cajun, that's very true, some HR positions work closely with the law. I went with the Paralegal ceritification a few years ago because, well, it was quick and easy. I like research and paperwork (yes, I know I'm a weirdo) so thought it would fit. But I've been contemplating a change for months, but didn't want to leave my comfort zone. I'm looking at this newest turn of events as a kick in the butt to change. For many years I've thought about going into training so maybe I'll go in that direction. Many of the trainers at my current company hold Business.HR degrees. Or, I can help handle employee relations, hiring, benefits, etc. I looked into the Kaplan program (thanks, Steve) in Business Adminstration with HR concentration. That seems to cover a lot of bases so I can go into plenty of different areas with it. I found Paralegal to be pretty limiting. So, I'm enrolled in the Business classes at Kaplan to begin July 29th. YAY, excited!

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

SteveFoerster — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:19:46 GMT

Cajun, that's a good point that HR people are on the periphery of legal work with all the various laws and regulations they have to keep in mind. I bet if you do that for a while you can parlay that into being a competitive applicant for positions as a legal assistant.

-=Steve=-

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

Cajun — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:28:01 GMT

That is frustrating. If it makes you feel better, HR and Paralegals both deal with a whole lot of law. HR is a lot like translating law into policy (among other things) and Paralegal as you know is more about legal research. So I think both careers could share a lot of the same skill requirements. Either way, the most highly compensated paralegal I've ever met (that I know of) only had an AS degree and it wasn't in anything related to law. Curious, no?

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

SteveFoerster — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:49:17 GMT

untallTexan:
The bad news- after approving my courses TWICE and sending me 2 Letters of Credit, my employer send and e-mail that there was a mistake and Paralegal isn't approved for compensation. UGH! So I have 2 choices- new career or not go back to school (paying myself is not an option right now). So I'm looking to change my career and am thinking about Human Resources. I'm actually kinda excited about it. So off I go to research HR degrees.

How frustrating! Well, for what it's worth, Kaplan University has a Bachelor's program in HR Management.

-=Steve=-

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

untallTexan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:18:01 GMT

Well I finally settled on Kaplan- this biggest plus was that books are included in tuition. My employer won't pay for books separately, but will if they're included in the tuition cost. Thank you all for the great advice.

The bad news- after approving my courses TWICE and sending me 2 Letters of Credit, my employer send and e-mail that there was a mistake and Paralegal isn't approved for compensation. UGH! So I have 2 choices- new career or not go back to school (paying myself is not an option right now). So I'm looking to change my career and am thinking about Human Resources. I'm actually kinda excited about it. So off I go to research HR degrees.

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

untallTexan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:44:50 GMT

Thank you for the article you sent- very informative. Transferability doesn't seem to be as much of as issue as I thought it could be.

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

Cajun — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:35:06 GMT

True, but if your employer is willing to foot 100% of the cost, you can't lose either way.

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

SteveFoerster — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:26:06 GMT

untallTexan:
If I go with Kaplan, which at this point seems very likely, then credit transferring won't be a problem. That's the hugest thing they have in their favor right now. I can go from Associates to Bachelors with them. Credit transferring is only a concern if I went with a school that does not have the options of Associates and Bachelor degrees.

Even schools that don't themselves offer an Associate's degree will likely give you two academic years worth of transfer credit toward a Bachelor's program. I wouldn't cross other schools off your list for this reason without checking with them.

-=Steve=-

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

untallTexan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:13:41 GMT

If I go with Kaplan, which at this point seems very likely, then credit transferring won't be a problem. That's the hugest thing they have in their favor right now. I can go from Associates to Bachelors with them. Credit transferring is only a concern if I went with a school that does not have the options of Associates and Bachelor degrees. So far the only real drawback with Kaplan is the cost and since my employer is kind enough to take care of that for me, it becomes a non-issue. So, it looks like Kaplan here I come!

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

donald11 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:58:43 GMT

Also, I'm not sure why you are concerned about transferring credits? Were you unsure of whether you want a paralegal degree? Or are you referring to applying to graduate school once you get your BS degree?

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

donald11 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:57:19 GMT

Most for profit schools like Kaplan are expensive. If your looking for a less expensive option, then SUNY is likely your best choice since they are a state school. When I enrolled at Kaplan my options were much more limited since there were fewer online programs back then.

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

Cajun — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:06:59 GMT

Regardless of accreditation, transferability of credits will be at the discretion of the school you are transfering into, for that reason I strongly suggest you stick with the same school from AS to BS if at all possible. That being said, regional accreditation is usually the right idea but there is another factor to consider and that is return on investment. Kaplan is very expensive, if your employer will pay your way 100% then hey, now worries, get in there and tear it up. But if you have to pay any portion out of pocket there may be a less expensive alternative like APUS or AMU. Either way you really can't lose on those.

Re: Associates Paralegal Degree Programs

untallTexan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:24:44 GMT

Thanks for the info guys. I've been perusing this site and have found a ton of information. I'll look into these programs alog with some of the others I'm looking at now.