Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Maricopa Arizona
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Maricopa AZ and start your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you locate the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account too. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Maricopa AZ is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be a good option for students living in Maricopa AZ looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Maricopa AZ area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant issues to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few 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 decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Maricopa AZ law firms will only hire entry level paralegals 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? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Maricopa AZ law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor 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 offer an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Maricopa AZ legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in Arizona or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Maricopa AZ area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Maricopa AZ. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Maricopa AZ, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose offers that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Maricopa
Choose the Best Maricopa Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal certificate school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Maricopa residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Maricopa Arizona.