Emory Paralegal Program FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the program ABA "Approved"?
Will graduates be able to sit for the NFPA Pace exam and the NALA CLA exam?
What are the pre-requisites for Emory's Paralegal Program?
Why are certificate program graduates paid more?
What are the TOEFL score requirements?
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Program ABA "Approved?"
Emory's Paralegal Certificate Program is not ABA approved, as is the case with paralegal programs at most other major universities. Approximately 250 out of 1,200 paralegal programs nationwide are ABA approved - and the majority of ABA-approved programs are offered by smaller community colleges and technical schools. The ABA approved programs in Georgia are offered by Athens Technical College (Athens), Clayton State University (Morrow), Gainesville State College (Gainesville) and South University (Savannah).
Does ABA "approval" matter?
The ABA does not formally “accredit” any paralegal program, but for a fee, the organization “approves” programs that meet certain standards. Most paralegal programs choose not to seek ABA “approval”. ABA “approval” is not a primary factor in most law firms’ decision to hire a paralegal. The reputation of the institution attended by the paralegal is often much more important. Of course, the academic reputation of Emory University speaks for itself! In addition, our program is the only paralegal certificate program in Georgia that requires students have a bachelor's degree prior to admission.
Will graduates be able to sit for the NFPA Pace exam and the NALA CLA exam?
The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) offer (for a price) voluntary examinations. No state requires that a paralegal take an exam, and the majority of paralegals have chosen not to take either exam. NALA offers the CLA Examination, and NFPA offers the PACE Examination. If a student has a Bachelor's degree in any field and graduates from the Emory University Paralegal Program, that student qualifies to sit for the CLA and/or PACE examinations. Please note that the above organizations frequently alter their exams' requirements. Contact each association for the most current requirements to sit for those examinations.
What are the pre-requisites for Emory's Paralegal Program?
- A 4-year undergraduate degree is required (no exceptions)
- Basic computer and word-processing skills
- Access to the internet (preferably high-speed)
- An updated resume
Why a Certificate Program?
We understand that students have many choices in paralegal education. That is one of the strengths of the profession. The form of program a student takes usually depends on several factors, including:
Prior Educational Experience - Students who already possess a college degree are not likely to attend a two or four year paralegal program.
Prior Life Experience - Many paralegal certificate students have valuable real-world experience, but lack qualifications to be competitive for job opportunities.
Motivation - Students who take certificate programs must be motivated, since they are expected to gain knowledge and skills in a relatively short period of time.
Compensation - Graduates of certificate programs are best compensated.
Why are certificate program graduates paid more?
Attorneys are interested in paralegals who can perform specific law related tasks efficiently and accurately. They want, and are willing to pay for, paralegals who possess skills that make them and their firm more productive. As a general rule, attorneys don't care about the geometry, psychology, and other general study courses an employee has taken. They care about whether the employee can maintain a client file, whether an employee can conduct legal research, whether an employee can draft legal documents, and perform other relevant tasks. Paralegal Certificate programs offer training in the specific skills attorneys are looking for in their paralegal employees.
What are the TOEFL score requirements?
We recommend non-native English speakers have a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 250 on the computer-based exam or 100 on the internet-based exam. These scores are recommended, but not required.
