RMPA Education Committee Mission Statement

The mission of the RMPA Education Committee is to engage and support our membership.  RMPA offers the necessary tools and resources through ongoing education that incorporates theories, knowledge and ethical professionalism while continually addressing the intellectual demands, emerging issues and latest developments in the legal profession.
 

CLEs

Our monthly membership lunches and some section meetings are approved for 1 hour CLE credits by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. If you would like to obtain CLE credit for your section, please complete the attached CLE Application Form and submit it to Mianne Besser at nfpaprimary@rockymtnparalegal.org.

UPCOMING LUNCH -N- LEARNS

Date                                       Topic                                                          Speaker

January TBA                           New Rule Changes                                   TBA

February 16, 2012                  Animations and interactive 3D models      Richard R. Ellis, Jr.,
                                                for courtroom use                                     Executive Vice President
                                                                                                                 Visible Productions, Inc.

Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegals

The Colorado Bar Association has posted new and updated Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegals. These Guidelines can be accessed by clicking here.

Certification by State Bars:

                 
• Florida's Paralegal Certification Program
                                             
• North Carolina's Paralegal Certification Program
 
• Ohio's Paralegal Certification Program
             
• Texas' Paralegal Certification Program

Choosing a Certification by Paralegal Organization:

NFPA offers two certifications - PCCE and PACE.  The PCCE is a certification for paralegals with zero to six years experience in the legal field.  The PACE is a certification for paralegals with six or more years of experience. There are other certifications offered by other associations, click here to view a comparison chart.

For more information regarding the PACE, please click on the logo.

PACE Registered Paralegal^_® Listing

For more information regarding the PCCE, please click on the logo.

Paralegal Core Competency Exam Listing

RMPA is dedicated to helping you succeed!  If you have any questions regarding either of these exams, please contact the Education Chair, Dee Roberts, RP(R), at education@rockymtnparalegal.org.

STUDY GROUPS FOR THE SPRING OF 2012 ARE BEING CREATED FOR BOTH OF THESE EXAMS.  PLEASE CONTACT EDUCATION@ROCKYMTNPARALEGAL.ORG IF YOUR ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THESE STUDY GROUPS.  OUR GUEST SPEAKERS REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF TEN PEOPLE FOR THE STUDY GROUPS.

Choosing a Paralegal Program

"The ABA Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs require a certain number of courses/credits to be taken in the traditional "on ground" format. There are no "all online" ABA approved paralegal education programs. A program must offer and the student must take a certain number of courses/credits on ground. Many programs offer individual courses by alternative delivery, but you need to check with the program directly to determine whether it meets your requirements. A student may not obtain any credential from an ABA approved paralegal education program without having attended on ground courses nor can an approved paralegal education program offer an all online program." Stated from the American Bar Association.

"The American Bar Association does not certify Paralegals. Paralegals may not represent themselves as "ABA-certified paralegals," because the ABA's approval applies to the paralegal education program rather than to the individual paralegal." Stated from the American Bar Association website.

The list of ABA approved paralegal education programs is posted at: http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory. If a program is not listed, it is not an ABA approved paralegal education program.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ROCKY MOUNTAIN PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION IS IN NO WAY ENDORSING ANY PARTICULAR SCHOOL OR PROGRAM.  THIS IS A LIST OF SCHOOLS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY.

ABA Approved- Colorado

Arapahoe Community College: http://www.arapahoe.edu/catalog/paralegal-aas.htm

Community College of Aurora:  http://www.ccaurora.edu/programs-classes/departments/paralegal

NON-ABA Approved- Colorado

Pikes Peak Community College:  http://www.ppcc.edu/academics/program-directory/
(The program is an institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education, the National Association of Legal Assistants / Paralegals, and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations)

Everest College (Aurora): http://www.everest.edu/campus/aurora/program/paralegal
Everest College (Thornton): http://www.everest.edu/campus/thornton
Everest College (Colorado Springs);  Legal Assistant/Paralegal; http://www.everest.edu/campus/colorado_springs/program/legal-assistantparalegal

University of Northern Colorado:  http://www.unco.edu/philosophy/prelaw/legal_studies.html

The Center for Legal Studies:  http://www.legalstudies.com

Institute of Business and Medical Careers: http://www.ibmc.edu/paralegal.asp
Campuses in Fort Collins, Greeley, and Longmont

Front Range Community College: http://www.frontrange.edu/Academics/Fields-of-Study/AAS/Paralegal-Studies-Degree/

ABA Approved- Nebraska

NON-ABA Approved- Nebraska

ABA Approved- South Dakota

NON-ABA Approved- South Dakota

ABA Approved- Utah

NON-ABA Approved- Utah

ABA Approved- Wyoming

NON-ABA Approved- Wyoming