The APC Program Advanced Paralegal Certification by NALA APC Program Background The CLA Specialty Program Decision to look at this in 2002, the.
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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
The CLA Specialty Program
Decision to look at this in 2002, the program’s
20th anniversary mark
Did the program need changing
Could it be changed and maintain the high
standards of NALA certification and serve
paralegals and employers
The CLA Program
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
Based on 30 years of research and
development; suitable for paper-pencil test
What about the Specialty Program
Does it meet needs of paralegals?
Ease of access
Clearly defined program objectives
Requests for advanced certification in numerous
areas
Does it meet needs of employers?
Ease of access
Demonstration of skills and knowledge
Needs of Today’s Paralegals
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
Curriculum based certification
Web based
Subject specific
APC Certification Program Criteria
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
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
Certified Professional Manufacturers Representative
Certified Financial Planner
Certified Life Underwriter
Registered Employee Benefits Consultant
Course Development
Define the course – what are paralegals
doing in the practice area
Input from those in the field
Input from employers
Develop working outline
Start writing
Review by APC Board
Review by those working in the field
Course launch
Course Development
Includes expert advice throughout
Ph.D in technical writing
Ph.D in psychology with emphasis on training
and instruction
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
Audio and visual presentation
Assessments
Excercises
Glossary
Assessments
How do you know if someone knows the
material?
Security Issues
Learning Contract
Part of registration process
CLA is on the line
Identity
Monitor computer access
Contact with certification candidates
Printing difficult, cannot access course materials
Where are we today?
Several programs exist and will be
introduced in 2006
Web based programs offering 24/7 access