ABA-Approved Paralegal Schools and Programs

Updated October 29, 2025

The American Bar Association (ABA) approves select paralegal education programs that meet rigorous national standards for legal instruction.
Choosing an ABA-approved program signals to employers that your training meets the highest professional benchmarks.

Paralegal Salary Snapshot

U.S.
U.S. Median Pay $61,010 $29.33 per hour
Job Outlook 0.2% +600 jobs (2024–2034)
39,300 openings/yr
Data Year: 2024 Source: BLS OEWS

What ABA Approval Means

ABA approval is not the same as institutional accreditation.
While accreditation ensures a school as a whole meets academic quality standards, ABA approval evaluates the specific paralegal program on criteria such as:

  • Faculty credentials and professional experience
  • Course content in research, ethics, and procedure
  • Access to law libraries and legal databases
  • Internship or experiential learning opportunities
  • Continuous program review and outcomes assessment

Programs that pass ABA review demonstrate a commitment to excellence and industry relevance.

How to Verify Programs

The ABA maintains a public directory of approved paralegal education programs, updated annually.
You can verify a school’s approval status in three steps:

  1. Visit the ABA Paralegal Education Directory
  2. Search by state or program name
  3. Confirm the “Approved” designation and review the approval date

If a program advertises “ABA approval pending,” confirm its status directly through the ABA site or by contacting the institution.

See Paralegal Studies Programs

Pros and Considerations

Advantages

  • Employer recognition: ABA approval signals trusted academic quality
  • Certification readiness: Graduates often meet eligibility for NALA or NFPA exams
  • Transfer credibility: Easier credit transfer between approved institutions
  • Professional networking: Access to ABA resources and continuing education events

Considerations

  • Not all states or employers require ABA-approved education
  • Many reputable non-ABA programs still offer strong outcomes and accreditation
  • Online programs are less frequently ABA-approved because of format restrictions

When comparing schools, use ABA approval as one of several factors, alongside cost, flexibility, and location.

Next Steps

If quality assurance and national recognition are top priorities, consider an ABA-approved paralegal program when researching your options.
Use the official ABA directory to confirm approval status and explore programs that align with your career goals.

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