What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Buckeye AZ area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Buckeye AZ law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Buckeye AZ law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Buckeye AZ legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Arizona or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Buckeye AZ region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Buckeye AZ. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Buckeye AZ, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.