ONLINE STUDIES

ONLINE LEGAL STUDIES AND ONLINE PARALEGAL STUDIES.HOW TO EARN A DEGREE ONLINE FOR PARALEGAL STUDIES.
Would you like to earn an online law degree or study online legal studies from the comfort of your own home? It’s not easy, but it is possible. Earning an online law degree or doing the studies poses several unique challenges. No online law school doing online legal studies is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA); however, forty-nine states require that law school graduates earn a degree accredited by the ABA in order to take the bar exam needed to practice law.
California is the one state that allows graduates from distance learning law schools to sit for their bar after studies in the online legal studies , assuming the examinees meet certain requirements. If you live in California, or if you’re willing to relocate, you may be able to become a practicing lawyer with an online law degree (studies). After you work as a lawyer for a few years, it may be possible to practice law in some other states. Here’s what you need to know:
Earning an Online Law Degree and Practicing Law in California
In order to take the California Bar, students must meet certain requirements set by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California. There are seven basic steps to becoming a full-fledged lawyer.
Step 1: Complete your pre-legal studies. Most law students have already completed a bachelor’s degree. However, California’s minimum requirement is that students complete at least two years of college-level work (60 semester credits) with a GPA equal to or above that required for graduation. Alternatively, you may prove that you have intellectual ability equal to a college student in his second year by passing subject matter examinations with scores accepted by the Committee.
Step 2: Complete your legal studies. Online law students doing online legal studies may sit for the California Bar if they receive “instruction in law from a correspondence law school requiring 864 hours of preparation and study per year and which is registered with the Committee
The Committee does not accredit online law schools; instead, they allow distance learning schools to register with them if the online schools meet requirements. Because the Committee won’t vouch for the quality of these programs, it is essential to thoroughly investigate any online law school before enrolling. Here are the online law (studies) schools currently registered with the Committee:
Step 3: Register as a law student. Before taking any examinations, online law students must register with the State Bar of California. This may be done through the online office of admissions
Step 4: Pass the First-Year Law Student’s Examination. Students must pass a four hour test covering basic contracts, criminal law, and torts (concepts that are taught in during a law student’s first year of study). The exam is administered in June and October of each year
Step 5: Receive a positive moral character determination. All California lawyers must first prove that they have “good moral character” by undergoing an evaluation from the Committee. You will be asked to provide information, fingerprints, and references. The Committee will talk to your former employers, your online law school, and will check for driving and criminal records. The entire process may take four to six months, so get an early start
Step 6: Pass the Multi State Professional Responsibility Examination. This two hour and five minute exam will test your understanding of appropriate lawyer conduct. You will answer sixty multiple choice questions regarding representation, privilege, contempt, and related issues. The exam is offered three times a year
Step 7: Pass the Bar Exam. Finally, after completing your online law degree and fulfilling the other requirements, you may take the California Bar Exam. The bar exam is offered in February and July of each year and features three days of essay questions, multi-state components, and practical exercises. If you pass the bar, you are eligible to practice law in California.
How to Practice Law in Other States with an Online Law Degree (studies)
Once you’ve used your online law degree to practice law in California for a few years, you may be able to work as a lawyer in additional states. Many states will permit California lawyers to take their bar exams after five to seven years of practicing law. Alternatively, you could enroll in a Master of Law program accredited by the American Bar Association. Such programs take only one or two years and will help you qualify to take the bar exam in other states. You may also practice law in federal courts located in any state.
Student Beware: The Drawbacks of Earning an Online Law Degree (studies)
Earning an online law degree can be an appealing option for professionals with work and family responsibilities. But, be aware that there are several drawbacks to studying law online. If you want to practice law, you will probably be limited to a single state for several years. Additionally, law firms will know that your online law degree is not accredited by the American Bar Association. So, don’t expect to be a contender for the most prestigious, highest paying jobs.
If you choose to pursue an online law degree, go into the experience with realistic expectations. Studying law online is not for everyone, but for the right person it can be a worthwhile experience. Distance education is accessible an convenient, which has helped make online psychology degrees increasingly popular with both traditional and non-traditional students. Students who live in rural areas and those who cannot attend classes in a traditional setting can pursue a degree from the comfort of their own homes.
As more and more accredited colleges and universities offer courses and degrees via distance education, the range of options for online students continues to grow. Is earning an online psychology degree right for you? Before you choose an online psychology program, you should consider a number of factors including your own learning needs, cost of attendance, type of degree available and the school's accreditation status.
Characteristics of a Quality Online Psychology Degree Studies.
In 2001, the American Psychological Association appointed a task force to investigate the issues and demands of online psychology studies. According to the task force, the key concerns of a quality distance education course or program focus on:
1. Access
2. The learning community
3. Faculty support
4. Student support
5. Curriculum and instruction
6. Evaluation and assessment
7. Institutional context and commitment
8. Facilities and finance
9. Library and learning resources
If you are considering an online program in psychology or another subject area, assess how the program addresses each of these concerns.
The following are some of the major issues you should consider before pursuing your online psychology studies:
Time Management
Earning an online psychology studies (degree) requires strong time management skills. While online education can be either synchronous or asynchronous, you will be expected to manage your own study and homework schedule without much direct oversight from your instructor. Be honest with yourself. Are you able to set a definite schedule and stick to it, or do you like to procrastinate? Your ability to stay on task and keep up with the readings will play a large role in your success.
Program Accreditation
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is the organization that oversees accrediting agencies in the United States. You can check to see if a school's accreditation claims are legitimate by checking CHEA's online database of schools and programs that are accredited by recognized U.S. accrediting organizations. It is important to earn an online psychology degree from an accredited educational institution in order to ensure that your degree will be recognized by other schools as well as future employers.
Comfort With Technology
It may go without saying, but earning an online psychology studies (degree) requires a certain level of comfort with different types of technology. At the very minimum, you should be capable of browsing the web, sending emails and mailing attachments. Online instructors may also incorporate many other technologies, such as podcasts, online videos, wikis, blogs and instant messaging. If you have basic computer skills and an interest in learning new technology skills, earning an online psychology (studies) degree may be a good choice for you.
Your Academic and Career Goals
If you plan to continue your online legal studies in graduate school, it is also important to consider factors that might affect your future educational plans. Before you decide if earning an online psychology degree(studies) is right for you, look at the specific courses that are offered. Does the school offer a range of classes? Will you be able to take prerequisites needed for graduate study? The following resources provide more information on class selection and graduate study in psychology.

TIPS ON STUDYING PSYCHOLOGY

Because psychology is such a diverse field, students may occasionally feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information on the subject. An introductory course alone encompasses discussions of psychology's philophical background, social statistics, biological influences, experimental methods, and much more. Following a few simple study tips can help psychology students effectively learn new concepts and theories. With good study habits, students can achieve academic success in psychology. Learning effective study habits now is one of the best ways to minimize stress and frustration and will help in other courses as well.




BY KINGSLEY
ISAAC