Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Nogales AZ area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Nogales AZ law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Nogales AZ law practices 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 rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Nogales AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Arizona or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Nogales AZ region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Nogales AZ. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Nogales AZ, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.