Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Lake Havasu City Arizona
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Lake Havasu City AZ, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students start by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Lake Havasu City AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations in the profession are:
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- American Alliance of Paralegals
- National Association of Legal Assistants
- National Association for Legal Professionals
By graduating with a paralegal certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and may be a good option for students living in Lake Havasu City AZ searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Lake Havasu City AZ area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Lake Havasu City AZ law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Lake Havasu City AZ law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating 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 Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Lake Havasu City AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in Arizona or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Lake Havasu City AZ region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Lake Havasu City AZ. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Lake Havasu City AZ, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Lake Havasu City
Choose the Best Lake Havasu City Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree school is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Lake Havasu City residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Lake Havasu City Arizona.
Lake Havasu City Paralegal Certificate Online | Lake Havasu City Paralegal Studies