What paralegal skills are used in this fascinating career area?  You are intrigued and want to know!  Your internet history reflects the number of times you have searched for everything “paralegal”.  You’ve researched paralegal schools, but you question the need to attend one.  The thought has crossed your mind that you might already have what it takes to be a paralegal, and that you don’t need to go to school to learn paralegal skills.  The fact is that you may have some of the skills, and you may be able to find a law-related job.  It depends on the type of law-related job you are interested in.  But do you have paralegal skills?  If you want to be called a paralegal, though, you need the skill set and you need the education!  American Institute for Paralegal Studies (AIPS) can train you, and you will be a certificated paralegal upon graduation.  We’ve been training paralegals for over 35 years.  We know the paralegal skills you need.

I’m sure you would agree that every career and job uses a specific skill set.  For example a sculptor doesn’t need to go to med school, and a surgeon doesn’t need to go to art school.  Both careers require attention to detail and a steady hand; but, possessing several of the same skills doesn’t mean a sculptor can perform surgery or that a doctor can create a statue.  It’s a silly example, but you get the point.  Some skills can be used in a broad range of career areas; however, combinations of specific skills are often unique to specific careers.  Some skills can be learned on the job, and others must be learned in the classroom.  The key thing is to learn the skill set that is used in the job and career that you want to have…in this case, a paralegal career.  Check out what O-Net Online has to say about paralegal skills at http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/23-2011.00.  

Paralegal Skills:

• Communication – Verbal and Written
• Writing
• Research and Investigative
• Technological
• Organization
• Attention to Detail
• Teamwork
• Multi-tasking 

AIPS Core General Studies Curriculum:

• American Jurisprudence
• Litigation
• Estates and Trusts
• Business Law
• Tort Law
• Family Law
• Criminal Law
• Legal Research
• Estates and Trusts  

AIPS would love to train you and present you with your Paralegal Certificate!  Apply for paralegal positions with the knowledge that you have what it takes…the paralegal skills and education!    Call us at 800-543-2420. 

The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) is a national paralegal organization that provides an exam for those interested in receiving the credential of Certified Paralegal.  This is a computer-based exam; and the next exam begins May 1, 2012, with the initial filing deadline of April 1, 2012.  The exam is intense; so, set yourself up for success by registering for the 9-week AIPS CP Test Prep Course.  Why AIPS?  We have been through 18 review class/examination cycles, so we know how it’s done.  How many paralegal schools can say that?   We have prepared many students for the NALA Certified Paralegal exam, and we have a higher-than-average pass rate for first time exam takers.  

What areas of law are covered on the Certified Paralegal exam?

Students and paralegals who sit for the CP exam must choose four out of nine categories of substantive law upon which to be tested.  AIPS covers all nine categories in the Certified Paralegal Test Prep Course!!! The nine categories are:

 General Law (Required for all test-takers)

Administrative Law

Criminal Law

Family Law

Contracts

Business Organizations

Estates and Probate

Bankruptcy

Real Estate

Litigation 

For more information about the NALA Certified Paralegal exam and how to apply for the exam, check out the NALA website at http://www.nala.org/examinee.aspx  

Who is eligible to take the AIPS Certified Paralegal Test Prep Course?

• The course is free to American Institute for Paralegal Studies graduates who take the course within two calendar years from their originally scheduled graduation date. 
• Graduates who are past their two year period may take the course at the alumni rate for a two credit class, plus books and materials. 
• Graduates from other paralegal programs may take the course for a fee (contact us for current pricing).  

What do you need to do to sign up for the AIPS CP Test Prep Course?

To sign up for the AIPS CP Review course, click here to contact AIPS.   Let us know when you would like to take the course.   The CP Review Course is taught via directed study, meaning you will work one-on-one with an instructor to complete the course. It can be scheduled at a time convenient to you. 

We applaud you for wanting to receive the credential of Certified Paralegal.   AIPS wants to support you and prepare you for this exam. 

If you take Family law in paralegal school, you will learn a lot more than just divorce cases.

Paralegal schools almost always include Family Law as an essential course. Many attorneys handle divorces, child custody and other family law related matters. It is a wonderful area to work in if you like working with people and communicating with clients.

The United States has the highest divorce rate than any other country. That is unfortunate for the institution of marriage, but good for paralegals in the jobs it creates in family law. A divorce case can be simple or complex. There may be a variety of issues to handle such as property distribution, spousal support, child custody and support, and visitation.  But before a couple gets to the end of the road, there is always a happy beginning: the engagement.

Who would think that we would cover the engagement in paralegal school? Yet, that engagement ring has been the center of many cases in family law. That is why paralegal training comes in handy right after Valentines Day and the celebration over a bright and shiny ring. Most states have an anti-heart-balm statutes which prohibit people from suing for money based on a breach of a promise to marry. However, the issue of who gets the ring when the marriage is called off is a separate issue from trying to get damages for a breach of a contract to marry.

One of the more well known cases studied in Family law in paralegal school is Aronow v. Silver.  In Aronow, the court found that the ring is a symbol of the coming marriage. As the ring is a conditional gift, if the marriage is called off, the ring should be returned. The court noted that the majority rule that the person who unjustifiably breaks the engagement loses the ring was an old sexist and archaic rule that needed to be updated and changed. So the Aronow court ruled that since the condition of marriage was not fulfilled, the ring must be returned to him regardless of fault. So the lesson learned in paralegal school is don’t get too attached to that ring because you may have to return it!

To find out more information on the Family law course and paralegal school visit the curriculum page of the American Institute for Paralegal Studies website .  The Bureau of Labor Statistics also has helpful information about Family Law in paralegal school programs. Another fun site to compliment your paralegal school research, which includes a video clip on Family Law Paralegals, is Law Crossing.  Law Crossing also notes:  The matters that are covered under this law can be relating to divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, marital property settlement, and adoption. Paralegals can assist the attorneys with drafting property division and prenuptial agreements, as well as petitions, discovery requests, motions, and briefs in litigation, involving marital dissolution and child custody matters.

It may be time for you to research application to paralegal school.  Talk to the staff at the American Institute for Paralegal Studies today.  Call us at 800-553-2420.  Start your journey to paralegal school soon!

Searching for a paralegal school is like a full time job.  It took a whole lot of time and energy just to make the decision that you want to pursue a paralegal career.  Now, you need to figure out which school is perfect for you.  The whole process is confusing, tiring, intimidating; and, you don’t want to think another thought about it until you’ve taken a nap.  We understand.  Take a few minutes, after your nap, to listen to what we have to say about the benefits of an online education and, specifically, about our AIPS 100% online paralegal school.  

The AIPS paralegal school is designed for working adults just like you.  We understand that your schedule is busy and the demand on your time can be almost overwhelming, at times.  We have created paralegal programs with that in mind.  It is totally doable for you to become a paralegal and to earn your Paralegal Certificate, even with a full-time job.  If you want to spread your classes over 8 months or an entire year, you can.  If you want to sign up for an accelerated program, and finish in 4 to 6 months, you can.  You can choose what month you want to begin class.  AIPS believes it is important for you to choose what works best for your schedule.  Not all schools give you that choice.  AIPS paralegal school does!!  We’ve outlined, below, some of the benefits of online studies: 

Why Online?

You will save time

You will save money

You will minimally disrupt your daily routine

You will study from the comfort of home

You can study in your pajamas

You will be able to take your studies with you when you travel 

Why AIPS Online Paralegal School?

Classes begin monthly

Classes are 100% online

Classes are affordable

Classes are designed for working adults

Attend class at any time of day or night

Choose the length of program that works for you – 4 months, 6 months, 8 months or 12 months

Quick response to technical and academic questions

Interactive classroom setting

Secure learning management system 

AIPS wants to answer any questions you may have!  To learn more about our online paralegal school, click here.  You can take a tour, look into our programs or check into cost of tuition.  If you want to chat, call toll free at 800-553-2420. 

The Paralegal School for Adults Like You

http://www.aips.com/online-paralegal-school/

Don’t call 9-1-1, call AIPS! 

Your career is gasping for breath, possibly in the career ICU, and you are hoping that online paralegal studies will give it the lifeline that it needs.  You get up, each morning, and face a job that is in desperate need of CPR…Career Productivity Revitalization…or whatever words you want to use for the acronym.  You know that you need to do something to pump some life into a career that you have put so much time, energy and passion into.  Sometimes, all it takes is someone to point you in a direction to get some much needed help…someone who understands your career goals.  You need an online paralegal program that is relevant and experienced, a program that values your experience. 

Do you have years of experience in a law-related career and feel you have so much more to offer?  You may be a legal secretary, file clerk, law firm receptionist, executive assistant or human resources specialist.  It doesn’t matter what the job title is.  You have the law-related experience and knowledge.  Continuing your legal education will prove to your employer that you are willing to better yourself as an employee and as an individual.  Use those years of experience plus the Paralegal Certificate earned from the AIPS online paralegal studies program as a career catalyst. 

How continuing your education will benefit you (not an exhaustive list):

1. You will study from home with minimum disruption of your daily routine
2. You will feel better about yourself  and your career possibilities
3. You will stretch your mind
4. You will learn about areas of the law you are not familiar with
5. You will become a certificated paralegal upon graduation
6. Your Paralegal Certificate will add credibility to your existing law-related skills 

American Institute for Paralegal Studies (AIPS) is experienced in online paralegal studies!!  We understand that you have career goals and desires.  It is important for you to know you have options and ways to increase your career productivity and marketability.  You may want to use your newly-acquired paralegal skills in your current job; or, you may want to apply for a position outside of your current office.  Whatever your reason, your decision to further your legal education with online paralegal studies is perfect!  Click here to learn about the AIPS online paralegal program and to apply, today!  

 Why AIPS Online Paralegal?

http://www.aips.com/why-aips/

Criminal law is a favorite online paralegal class!

If you like watching crime shows like CSI, you will enjoy taking an online paralegal class in Criminal law. In the AIPS Criminal law online paralegal class you will learn about the different crimes against the person like robbery and crimes against property like theft.  Learning the various motions in a criminal case is also crucial. Many motions are based on constitutional guarantees which may severely affect the outcome of a criminal case. It is important for a criminal law paralegal to know what to do during the pre-trial steps of a criminal case.

The Criminal Law online paralegal class covers the steps of a criminal case starting from the arrest all the way to sentencing. Specific things such as jury selection are even covered. Did you know that there are several factors to consider in jury selection?  You have to consider the effects of age, race, nationality, economic and education level, language barriers and gender. Voir dire is the process where jurors are questioned in order to discover any biases on the part of prospective jurors and to find persons who might identify with the plights of their respective client.  During voir dire, the attorneys can exercise a certain number of challenges to prevent particular persons from being allowed to serve on the jury.  After both sides have completed their challenges, those jurors who have been excused are permitted to leave. The remaining jurors, those found to be acceptable by both attorneys, become part of the jury.

One of the most intriguing topics in the Criminal online paralegal class is the death penalty. Some say the death penalty serves as a general deterrence since it discourages others from perpetrating crimes. However, many murders occur as the result of some type of passion, perpetrators may not actually analyze the likelihood of getting caught, convicted, and sentenced to death prior to committing the crime. Yet, proponents of the death penalty believe many more crimes would be committed but are deterred by the threat of the death penalty.  

So do you want to learn more? If so, then sign up for the AIPS Criminal law online paralegal class!  To find out more information on the Criminal law online paralegal class visit the curriculum page of the AIPS website by clicking here.  You can apply to the American Institute for Paralegal Studies from our website. 

Online Paralegal Studies – Hype vs. Reality

Are online paralegal studies programs worthy of all the hype?  Many online programs claim to be the best and to give you the most.  The marketing grabbed your attention, as it was designed to do.   You just want to know if the program reality lines up with its hype – does the program really offer what is being advertised.    

The affordability of the program may be of greatest importance to you.  While tuition is an obvious consideration, and a critical part of the decision, it is the class time and the online experience that we’re focusing on, today.  The most expensive program isn’t necessarily the best; and, the least expensive program isn’t necessarily the worst.  It is important to judge an online paralegal studies program on the quality of the total experience, such as the program content; the knowledge of faculty; the interaction between staff/faculty and students; and how user friendly it is.    

What questions, in addition to tuition, to ask about online paralegal studies programs: 

• How long has the program had an online presence?
• How interactive is the program?
• Who teaches the classes?
• How are staff trained and classes monitored?
• What is the turnaround time for response to student technical and academic questions?
• Is there a clearly defined timeline from Application to Graduation? 

Marketing is a key factor in presenting a product to the public.   It’s not a bad thing.  The product of an online paralegal studies program is the program, itself.  It’s difficult to fully express the personality of the program through a picture or short advertising blurb.  That’s why you must ask questions that are above and beyond the traditional, “How much does it cost and how long will it take?” 

The AIPS Online Paralegal Studies Program Reality! 

• Over 34 years of paralegal instruction experience – Over 15 years of online paralegal instruction  
• Daily interaction with classmates and instructor
• Classes taught by experienced attorneys and paralegals
• New instructor shadows a seasoned instructor for one month
• New instructors are mentored through first classroom experience
• New instructors are monitored on a regular basis
• Response to student technical and academic questions is immediate
• Student expectations are clearly defined and communicated from Orientation to graduation 

Intrigued?!  Click here for more information about the AIPS online paralegal studies program!!

How to Become a Paralegal

http://www.aips.com/online-paralegal-school/how-to-become-a-paralegal/

You just took the wreath down from the front door, finished cleaning the last remnants of confetti from under the sofa cushions; and, now, you are ready to approach the next thing on that list of resolutions…a paralegal career.  This might just be easier than losing those holiday pounds!  

We know you’re busy trying to exercise, etc.; so, we thought we’d help you brainstorm a bit by talking about some paralegal career job possibilities.  Paralegals are employed in many different work place scenarios.  Let’s list a few: 

• Traditional Law Firms
• Government Agencies and Departments (municipal, county, state, federal)
• Corporations
• Non-profit organizations
• Colleges and Universities 

Within these broad paralegal career areas are hundreds of paralegal possibilities.  We have discussed in prior posts that it’s all about the job tasks, and not the job title.   If you’re wondering if that means you may have a job that doesn’t carry the specific title of ‘paralegal’, then you’d be correct.  Once you receive your Paralegal Certificate through the AIPS online paralegal program…click here for more info…you are a certificated paralegal.   The most important thing is that you are using your paralegal skills in a law-related job that interests you.

Here are a few paralegal job titles that might both surprise and intrigue you: 

• Litigation Docket Clerk
• Business Application Technician
• Claims Specialist
• Human Resources Officer
• Risk Management Specialist
• Court Clerk
• Sr. Contract Administrator 

Sometimes, the best way to learn about a paralegal career is to read job postings.  Paralegal job postings are everywhere, including Craigslist!  You can go to the city of your choice to research paralegal career possibilities.  Just remember not to get hung up on the job title.  You may find a law-related job that really interests you, but that doesn’t have the title of paralegal. 

Now, let’s revisit that resolution list of yours.  To set yourself up in the paralegal career that you desire, you may need to continue your education and obtain your Paralegal Certificate.  The AIPS totally online paralegal program is interactive, flexible and affordable.  You can go to class in the comfort of your own home, which is perfect, don’t you think?  Call us! 1-800-553-2420. Next class starts February 20!   

See how easy it is to begin a promising paralegal career?!  Now, that we’ve helped you check that off of your list, check out these paralegal job postings!!

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/lgl/

Can an online paralegal school have personality?  Technology is impersonal.  Computers are impersonal.  They are things!  It sounds silly to say that American Institute for Paralegal Studies (AIPS) possesses any kind of personal quality.  It isn’t possible for an impersonal venue to be personal…or is it?!  It’s all about the word “interactive”. 

 Merriam-Webster’s definition of “interactive” is:  mutually or reciprocally active.  Well, of course, we then must understand what “reciprocal” means, so here that is:  shared, felt, or shown by both sides.  Wow!  That’s it!  What AIPS possesses is mutually shared and felt activity that is shown by both sides…students and faculty and staff.  Hmmm…sounds a bit personal. 

When you apply to some schools, you receive your materials, you complete the assigned work and send it in, it comes back…you know the drill.  You are on your own.  There is no interactivity, no personality.  It is the transfer of information back and forth.    When you attend AIPS, you interact with your instructor and classmates on a daily basis.  There have been some heated discussions about subject matter.  That cannot happen, unless there is an interaction between students and moderation by faculty.   This is what is unique about AIPS.  There is active communication, caring, encouragement, motivation, instruction and support for each and every student. 

What you will find at the AIPS Interactive Online Paralegal School:

• Personal assistance and support from application to graduation
• Classes taught by real people – attorneys and paralegals
• Gifted faculty that knows how to make a potentially impersonal classroom, personal
• Real classrooms with daily interaction between classmates and faculty
• Homework that is challenging, relevant and rewarding
• Daily interactive discussion forums, continually moderated by faculty
• Paralegal Lounge, where classmates from around the world can connect
• Alumni Association that provides CLE opportunities and info for graduates

As you can see, it is very possible for you, as a student of American Institute for Paralegal Studies, to have a very mutually-shared educational experience with classmates and faculty.  It’s possible to have both meaningful classroom dialogue and casual conversation with classmates and faculty.  It is possible because of the “interactive”, progressive and relevant mentality that AIPS has toward online paralegal school. 

To learn more about AIPS Interactive Online Paralegal School, click here.  You can sign up, today, for class.  Talk to you, soon.  

Not Too Late to Get Your Paralegal Certificate 

It’s not too late to get your Paralegal Certificate.   You have considered continuing your education, but wonder if you are too far into your career to benefit from it.  Certainly, you’re not thinking that there is a statute of limitations on learning and creating goals.  There’s a reason why you are sitting in front of your computer and are researching online paralegal programs.  You want to increase your credibility in your current job, or you just want to stretch that amazing mind of yours.  Whatever your reason, you need to know that you can benefit from continuing your education and from your Paralegal Certificate.  American Institute for Paralegal Studies (AIPS) wants to validate your career and personal goal to continue your education.  Let’s do some brainstorming.  

Why would you continue your education and obtain your Paralegal Certificate?

• To fulfill a career and personal goal
• To increase your law-related credibility
• To enhance your law-related skills
• To increase the possibility of a promotion
• To prove to your employer that you are committed to continued career excellence
• To prove to yourself that you can do it – to boost your morale and self confidence
• Because you love to learn 

Have any of these thoughts crossed your mind?  Good for you, if they have!!! It is a great idea to regularly assess your career goals, and to ask yourself what you can do to enrich your career.  It’s important to research the possibilities.  Then, it’s time to make a decision! 

Today, you can choose an online paralegal program that will both challenge your mind and give you the result that you are looking for…a Paralegal Certificate.  Click, here, to learn all about the AIPS paralegal certificate program.  

The final, nagging question you have is if you have the time.  The AIPS online paralegal program is flexible.  We have designed our program for working adults, such as you!!  We are so happy that you found us; and we are excited about working with you.  It truly is not too late to further your education.  You are worth it.  Your career is worth it.  Your Paralegal Certificate is within your grasp.  It’s just a matter of taking the next step.  That next step is to give us a call at 1-800-553-2420.  We can answer any questions you have. 

http://www.aips.com/