Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the El Mirage AZ area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many El Mirage AZ law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few El Mirage AZ law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the El Mirage AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in Arizona or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within the El Mirage AZ region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in El Mirage AZ. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near El Mirage AZ, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.