By Jeffrey Strausser
Q: I am currently taking a paralegal course through a correspondence school. It only offers a certificate, not an associate degree. How does this appeal to the legal industry? What is the possibility of working as a freelance paralegal?
A: At one time, I was going to write a book on the education of paralegals. I never wrote the book, but I did a lot of research. All I can tell you is that there is a wide disparity in paralegal skills. The very good skills place their graduates into very good jobs, the lower tier ones do not even try. I already think you know the answer as to where a correspondence school would fall along this continuum. You need hands-on work in this field. The paralegal profession has their own professional society that lists the certified schools. I suggest that you contact them.