Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Best One Near Scottsdale Arizona
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Scottsdale AZ and start your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school must be taken into consideration too. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take 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 arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Scottsdale AZ is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations in the field 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Scottsdale 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 earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Scottsdale AZ area, as well as trade and vocational 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 degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant aspects to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several 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 Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Scottsdale AZ law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible 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 specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Scottsdale AZ law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Scottsdale AZ legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Scottsdale AZ area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Scottsdale AZ. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Scottsdale AZ, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Scottsdale
Choose the Best Scottsdale Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Scottsdale home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Scottsdale Arizona.