Question About Paralegal Certificate

[ggabriele26]

Hello All,
Let me start off by saying thank you to all of the contributors to this forum. The information I have gathered since joining has been invaluable. It has also been the kick-start I need to complete my degree.
That being said, I have a few questions that I am hoping can be answered. I am working toward finishing my degree and have two realistic options in mind. My goal is to complete my bachelors in 2017 via exam and the occasional Straigherline/ Saylor course – Ie. Micro and Macro econ, etc. I am fortunate enough to be a strong test taker and have taken advantage of resources like completing 12 ALEKS credits this month alone. (Knowledge gained from this forum)
My main question really lies in if anyone has ever gotten a credit evaluation for a Paralegal Certification. I have a 300 Hour Paralegal Cert. from Rutgers University, which, as I just came to find is somehow not ABA approved... If anyone has any idea how many credits, or if this would be worth credit in any way I would really appreciate the info.
Thanks!
Ggabriele26

[KayV]

Rutgers has a program that offers the CP/ CLA exams. If you earned one of those credentials, your best bet is Charter Oak State College.
https://www.charteroak.edu/prior-learnin...-cred-.cfm

COSC even has a major in paralegal studies.
https://www.charteroak.edu/prospective/p...tudies.cfm

If you find 4 courses that you could use in your degree plan from Straighterline, you would be eligible for a scholarship through COSC. Take the 4 courses, THEN apply to COSC as a new student.
Charter Oak State College Course Equivalency Guide | StraighterLine
https://www.charteroak.edu/straighterline/

Good luck!

[cookderosa]

Hello All,
Let me start off by saying thank you to all of the contributors to this forum. The information I have gathered since joining has been invaluable. It has also been the kick-start I need to complete my degree.
That being said, I have a few questions that I am hoping can be answered. I am working toward finishing my degree and have two realistic options in mind. My goal is to complete my bachelors in 2017 via exam and the occasional Straigherline/ Saylor course – Ie. Micro and Macro econ, etc. I am fortunate enough to be a strong test taker and have taken advantage of resources like completing 12 ALEKS credits this month alone. (Knowledge gained from this forum)
My main question really lies in if anyone has ever gotten a credit evaluation for a Paralegal Certification. I have a 300 Hour Paralegal Cert. from Rutgers University, which, as I just came to find is somehow not ABA approved... If anyone has any idea how many credits, or if this would be worth credit in any way I would really appreciate the info.
Thanks!
Ggabriele26

I'm guessing this was a continuing education program? Meaning you didn't have to apply to be a student at Rutgers University? If so, it's unlikely. CEU type programs are so hard to get turned into credit - you almost have to do a Prior Learning Assessment. Now, on the other hand, if you were a student at Rutgers, it will be on your transcript - you can just send that over and get credit. Depending on your college and major it will probably be an elective.

[KayV]

I think it must have been this program from Rutgers in the continuing education department.
https://ce-catalog.rutgers.edu/courseDis...chID=61556

It is a non-credit program, but if you sit and pass the exam you get the credential mentioned above.

[cookderosa]

I think it must have been this program from Rutgers in the continuing education department.
https://ce-catalog.rutgers.edu/courseDis...chID=61556

It is a non-credit program, but if you sit and pass the exam you get the credential mentioned above.

Ok, so since that was a bit higher than 2 grand, I'm sure the OP is motivated to make it "count" for something. So, my two cents are to walk away. The only way I can see to roll this into credit is through PLA, which even if successful is going to be a pain and low yield.
First you have the cost (which I'm not up on anymore- I think there's a class and then a fee or something) to attempt it
Second you have to DO the work for the portfolio(s)
Third, even if it's awarded, it will be lower level free elective credit.

Here's the PLA databse. You can challenge as many as you think you can do - Thomas Edison State University: Online courses, independent study courses, exams, general education electives, prior learning assessment and other courses designed around the unique needs of adults

[KayV]

I would suggest walking away if TESU were the only option.

However, Charter Oak has partnered with the National Association of Legal Assistants/ Paralegals. As such, COSC gives 30 hours of credit (9 UL) for people holding that credential. They have also built a concentration in paralegal studies around it (see links above).

It's hard to walk away from that much credit when you've already got the certificate.

[davewill]

I would suggest walking away if TESU were the only option.

However, Charter Oak has partnered with the National Association of Legal Assistants/ Paralegals. As such, COSC gives 30 hours of credit (9 UL) for people holding that credential. They have also built a concentration in paralegal studies around it (see links above).

It's hard to walk away from that much credit when you've already got the certificate.

What links?

[KayV]

The four links in Post #2.

[ggabriele26]

All,

I really appreciate the information and candor.

Yes the paralegal I am referring to is the one linked in post #4. As it stands I am torn between COSC and TESU and where to apply the few traditional and ACE credits I do have. I completed the paralegal for as I needed it for a credential at the time, and was trying to squeeze what I could out of it, if anything.

[KayV]

This is one of the unusual cases where your certificate will go a lot further at COSC than it will at TESU, because COSC has accepted it for credit and TESU has not.
What other credits do you have?