<p>So I am graduating at my local community college with my AA in Paralegal Studies. My goal in the future is to go to law school, however if that plan doesn't workout I would seek employment as a Paralegal. I am getting ready to make my transfer decision and I have narrowed the field down to 2 colleges that offer a BA in Paralegal Studies. Liberty University and Saint Josephs University (Philadelphia). First of all Liberty is only $325 dollars per credit hour as opposed to $725 per credit hour at Saint Josephs. More then double the price. In addition I would only need 16 courses to finish by B.A. at Liberty as opposed to 22 courses at Saint Joe's. Saint Joe's curriculum includes a few math classes like accounting, macro, 2 100 level maths. Where as Liberty is basically only one math. (I struggle with math.) So this would probably impact my overall GPA.</p>
<p>That being said I would probably finish quicker, be in zero debt, and have a higher GPA at Liberty. But when going to seek employment as a Paralegal in Philadelphia (if I don't go to law school) and they see Liberty University on my resume for my B.A. I may be wishing I had gone to Saint Josephs U... But does the difference in price, extensive curriculum, and probable negative impact on GPA worth it?</p>
<p>For a job in the Philadelphia area St Johns would be almost infinitely better.</p>
<p>But I do need to ask why you feel that you must get a BA in this subject. You can get a job with your associates degree and work while deciding on the best major for yourself. That would mean that you would have a much broader set of options.</p>
<p>Why do I want to major in that subject? Well because I want to finish my Bachelors degree quicker. Why change my major and tack on an additional year onto my studies? Especially since the only other major I’d go for is Political Science. Which quite frankly can be a start to no where.</p>
<p>So your saying applying at a law firm with a Bachelors from Liberty will be a real risk? Even though I have spent 2 years at a secular community college? </p>
<p>Just asking the question. That’s why I am here.</p>
<p>"applying at a law firm with a Bachelors from Liberty will be a real risk? "</p>
<p>Yes. I’d go as far as saying that having Liberty on your resume can be a career-ender.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that with so many unemployed lawyers out there, it’s harder to find paralegal jobs. Firms can be picky who they hire - and they will hire those with the most prestigious-sounding schools on the resume, and those with the most experience.</p>
<p>Come on. A university founded by a televangelist that espouses fringe right-wing values? Maybe people in Philadelphia would be less skeptical than I would, but I doubt it. </p>
<p>The field of law is competitive enough without potentially tainting your prospects by settling for such a questionable degree.</p>
<p>I am open to working as a Paralegal and considering a different major. My problem is that I am pretty weak at math and very good at reading and writing. Maybe I should seek employment as a Paralegal with my 2 year degree and re-think my major and school…</p>
<p>But what major? I suppose business has a lot of math involved. But I guess it would depend which area. Hmmm… Decisions.</p>
<p>Philadelphia used to have a well respect paralegal school that went bankrupt. St. Joe stepped in with their program about that time. Getting into the big name firms in Philly has gotten considerable more difficult in the last 5 years.</p>
<p>I recommend a few things:
Reach out to the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals. They have been around for decades and have a solid member base. They have a website. You may even wish to join - I believe the student fee is <$40. They may even still sponsor some scholarships.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Expand the types of law by looking into Employee Benefits/Pension. Many Third Party Administration firms need paralegals to draft 401(k) Plan documents. It is a niche market.</p></li>
<li><p>Neither St Joe nor Liberty is an ABA approved program. For the cost of St Joe’s, I’d lean toward a school with ABA approval or a law school affiliated unless your AA is with an ABA approved school. The approval does hold a lot of weight, but it is worth having.</p></li>
<li><p>IMHO, and I do not do hiring, Liberty would bias me. I would automatically see the candidate as very conservative. Depending on the type of law, this could be an issue.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Before making this decision, I do recommend you try to find a job in the field, save your money and then return for your bachelors. You may find a broader major will be better for you. Or, you may find that you do not like the legal field and a narrow major combined with the paralegal, will be better to transition to another field.</p>
<p>My AA is from an ABA approved school. So I am good there.</p>
<p>Also Peirce College is in Philly and is ABA approved but the name is definitely not as well respected as Saint Joe’s. I AM very conservative just to throw it out there lol. Nothing against you lefties.</p>
<p>Typically, business majors just need calculus for business majors (not as difficult as calculus for math or engineering majors) and introductory statistics.</p>