With the paralegal profession being the fastest growing in the legal sector, it’s so important to choose the right course, one that is bespoke, fit for purpose and robust. There are many providers who see a potential market for offering courses, and it is becoming a bit of a minefield, so here are a few tips about what you should be aware of before you take the step to pay for any ‘paralegal’ course.
How to choose the right paralegal course
Check the title of the courses
Are they expressed to be specifically ‘paralegal’ or are they general legal courses? This is important because if they are described to be ‘paralegal courses’ in the marketing, but the name of the course does not have the term ‘paralegal’ in the title, then they have probably not been developed specifically for paralegal professionals. It’s most likely that they relate to other general legal studies or are geared towards another profession.
Are they accredited?
If they are specifically aimed at paralegal qualification, then you should ascertain whether they are accredited by an official qualification regulator, such as the Office of Qualifications and Examinations (Ofqual). This is the government body that accredits national qualifications in England and has statutory powers under various Acts of Parliament. Because of the strength of regulation behind the qualifications that they recognise, and the reputation of the regulator, qualifications which hold an Ofqual brand are accepted worldwide. Once you establish this, then you know that any awarding organisation that has gained recognition by Ofqual is offering qualifications which are of a very high standard and are ‘fit for purpose’. You also know that the people who hold an Ofqual diploma have all attained the same level of skills, knowledge and understanding for the same qualification. In other words; they can be relied upon.
What to look out for
Watch out for training providers that claim to be ‘approved’ by another body. Any organisation can say that they ‘approve’ a course, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the courses are robust or fit for purpose. It could be that ‘approval’ is expressed because money has changed hands for that approval. Undertake due diligence on any training provider by contacting them and asking questions. Ensure that if a course has been ‘approved’ by another organisation, that the organisation itself is well-established, long-standing and not just a fly-by-night short lived unregulated body.
Take your time and be absolutely sure before you part with any fees. Phone or email the training provider and ask relevant questions e.g.check:
- how long it has taken them to respond to you and
- how confident you feel after their response.
- What body accredits the courses.
- What is included in the course fee cost e.g. are there any additional costs such as course materials/workbooks or assignment/exam fees?
It is difficult to assess how much on average a paralegal qualification should cost, since most providers are private training companies and will use their own fee structure. Organisations charging outrageous fees (for example, in the thousands) may ring alarm bells if they do not appear to be accredited by a recognised body. However, alarm bells may also be ringing if the cost of the courses appears to be too low.
Study Method types
Check with the training provider what type of study is provided i.e. distance learning/online, class attendance or a mixture of both, known as ‘blended learning’. You may need to assess which is the best method for you. For example, not everyone can attend classes because of family/job commitments, and so distance learning/home study may be just the right fit. Others may not be able to manage their time effectively on their own, and therefore, class attendance may be what is required.
Different assessment methods
Some courses will be assessed by examination. Others by multiple choice questions and/or assignments. It will be important to check beforehand so that you are prepared and you choose the right one for you. If you’re someone who doesn’t perform well in exams, a “coursework” style qualification may be better for you.
Learning Support
What kind of support will the training provider offer. Questions should also be raised about the kind of tutorial support and advice you will attain if it is not a class attendance course.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses.
These days, to secure professional status each year, some professional membership bodies insist that their members keep up with the law through taking CPD accredited courses. The CPD accreditation Service was established in 1996 as the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the Continuing Professional Development policies of professional institutions and academic bodies. If this applies to you, then you should ensure that those providers offering CPD have the CPD Badge of Approval by checking the listings on the CPD website.
Training as a paralegal can lead to a rewarding and fulfilling career. Paralegals are becoming the go-to legal service providers for most organisations. Some paralegals obviously work with solicitors but mostly, these days, prospective employers of paralegals come from outside of the conventional legal sector. Most companies have an element of legality to what they do, and therefore require the services of paralegals to fill that role. It is more cost effective to employ a paralegal than a solicitor. Furthermore, the prospect of being able to offer legal advice and assistance to the consumer directly as a licensed paralegal practitioner, offers a very real and worthwhile career option for qualified paralegal professionals.