Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Tempe Arizona
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Tempe AZ, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be considered also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, 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 essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Tempe AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and may be a good alternative for students living in Tempe AZ searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Tempe AZ area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. 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 as well. Numerous Tempe AZ law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Tempe AZ law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Tempe AZ legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those colleges that are within the Tempe AZ region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Tempe AZ. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Tempe AZ, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Tempe
Choose the Best Tempe Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Tempe home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Tempe Arizona.