Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Maricopa Arizona
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Maricopa AZ, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many options? Many prospective students begin by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be considered also. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Maricopa AZ is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Maricopa AZ looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Maricopa AZ area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Maricopa AZ law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Maricopa AZ law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Maricopa AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success 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? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. 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 need to initially consider those schools that are within the Maricopa AZ region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Maricopa AZ. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Maricopa AZ, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Maricopa
Enroll in the Right Maricopa Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Maricopa home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Maricopa Arizona.
Maricopa Paralegal Certificate Programs | Maricopa Paralegal Certificate