Transcript The APC Program Advanced Paralegal Certification by NALA APC Program Background  The CLA Specialty Program  Decision to look at this in 2002, the.

The APC Program
Advanced Paralegal Certification by NALA
APC Program Background
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The CLA Specialty Program
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Decision to look at this in 2002, the program’s
20th anniversary mark
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Did the program need changing
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Could it be changed and maintain the high
standards of NALA certification and serve
paralegals and employers
The CLA Program
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The CLA – serves to recognize those who
have demonstrated mastery of general skills
required of all paralegals
Analytical ability
 General knowledge of substantive areas
 Knowledge of ethical limitations
 Communications skills
 Legal research skills
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Based on 30 years of research and
development; suitable for paper-pencil test
What about the Specialty Program
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Does it meet needs of paralegals?
Ease of access
 Clearly defined program objectives
 Requests for advanced certification in numerous
areas
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Does it meet needs of employers?
Ease of access
 Demonstration of skills and knowledge
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Needs of Today’s Paralegals
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Is there a different model for certification
that would work . . .
The need for advanced certification is
established
 Today’s pressures - no time
 Demonstrate advanced knowledge of specific
subject
 Allow for workplace mobility as well
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Curriculum based certification
Web based
 Subject specific
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APC Certification Program Criteria
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Relevance to the workplace – A certification model
to recognize advanced knowledge of a specialty
practice area should relate as closely as possible
to real-life situations
Defensible national standards – Program built on a
list of standard for the practice area
Accessibility – ideally on an as-needed basis, at
reasonable cost
Fair and consistently applied standards
Successful completion of the CLA examination
required for the credential
Curriculum Based Certification
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Subject Specific
Conducted Openly
Provides detailed information to employer about
what was covered in the program
Accepted model utilized in some fashion by many
organizations
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Certified Professional Manufacturers Representative
Certified Financial Planner
Certified Life Underwriter
Registered Employee Benefits Consultant
Course Development
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Define the course – what are paralegals
doing in the practice area
Input from those in the field
 Input from employers
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Develop working outline
 Start writing
 Review by APC Board
 Review by those working in the field
 Course launch
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Course Development
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Includes expert advice throughout
Ph.D in technical writing
 Ph.D in psychology with emphasis on training
and instruction
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Not created in a vacuum – it is vital to the
program to include input from all avenues
during course creation
Components of a Course
Outline of Presumed Knowledge
 Learning Contract
 Course Modules
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Audio and visual presentation
Assessments
 Excercises
 Glossary
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Assessments
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How do you know if someone knows the
material?
Security Issues
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Learning Contract
Part of registration process
 CLA is on the line
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Identity
Monitor computer access
 Contact with certification candidates
 Printing difficult, cannot access course materials
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Where are we today?
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Several programs exist and will be
introduced in 2006
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Web based programs offering 24/7 access