I knew that the paralegal field is a pretty demanding field right now. And I was in a "dead end job" making very little money WITHOUT a real career path, so SMU's paralegal program really enticed me. Even though it was pretty expensive, I thought the fact that I obtained a certificate from a school with a great reputation would double my chances of getting a good job. Well, forget about a good job---let's try ANY job! OMG! I cannot even get an interview, even after graduating from SMU's paralegal program with excellent grades! It's the age old problem of not being able to get a job with no experience, and not being able to get experience with no job! The way I look at it, some of it is SMU's fault, but some of it is MY own fault for not doing my research on what kind of program I was signing up for. So lucky you, I am taking time out to put this out there for everyone to read so they won't make the same mistake I did. And possibly save them thousands of dollars in the process!
Think TWICE about SMU's 6-month paralegal program for the following reasons:
It is NOT accredited by the American Bar Association and they claim it does not matter, but it does. Look up at least 5 different paralegal job openings, and at least 3 out 5 (if not 4) requires a certificate from an ABA-certified school
The have not incorprated an internship into their curriculum. I didn't think an intership was a big deal until I realized that: 1) it gives the student some hands-on verfiable experience and 2) internships are how a lot of students get offered jobs or or job referrals
SMU refuse to give graduates from their paralegal program a 1098 form so they can claim an education credit (Even though the tuition is well over $5,000.00, they say it does not qualify
I will admit I did not see anything wrong with the curriculum itself. I learned a lot and it was enjoyable. But the reasons I am putting SMU Paralegal Program on Ripoff.com is because of those three bulleted reasons above. All three reasons would have effected my decision to enroll had I known beforehand or had I known it would make a BIG difference in either getting a job or being able to claim the tuition on my taxes.
So anybody thinking about SMU's -month Paralegal program consider yourselves warned!!!
Southern Methodist University Reviews
I knew that the paralegal field is a pretty demanding field right now. And I was in a "dead end job" making very little money WITHOUT a real career path, so SMU's paralegal program really enticed me. Even though it was pretty expensive, I thought the fact that I obtained a certificate from a school with a great reputation would double my chances of getting a good job. Well, forget about a good job---let's try ANY job! OMG! I cannot even get an interview, even after graduating from SMU's paralegal program with excellent grades! It's the age old problem of not being able to get a job with no experience, and not being able to get experience with no job! The way I look at it, some of it is SMU's fault, but some of it is MY own fault for not doing my research on what kind of program I was signing up for. So lucky you, I am taking time out to put this out there for everyone to read so they won't make the same mistake I did. And possibly save them thousands of dollars in the process!
Think TWICE about SMU's 6-month paralegal program for the following reasons:
It is NOT accredited by the American Bar Association and they claim it does not matter, but it does. Look up at least 5 different paralegal job openings, and at least 3 out 5 (if not 4) requires a certificate from an ABA-certified school
The have not incorprated an internship into their curriculum. I didn't think an intership was a big deal until I realized that: 1) it gives the student some hands-on verfiable experience and 2) internships are how a lot of students get offered jobs or or job referrals
SMU refuse to give graduates from their paralegal program a 1098 form so they can claim an education credit (Even though the tuition is well over $5,000.00, they say it does not qualify
I will admit I did not see anything wrong with the curriculum itself. I learned a lot and it was enjoyable. But the reasons I am putting SMU Paralegal Program on Ripoff.com is because of those three bulleted reasons above. All three reasons would have effected my decision to enroll had I known beforehand or had I known it would make a BIG difference in either getting a job or being able to claim the tuition on my taxes.
So anybody thinking about SMU's -month Paralegal program consider yourselves warned!!!