Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near Arcata California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Arcata CA and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into account as well. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Arcata CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and can be a good alternative for those living in Arcata CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Arcata CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate 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 potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Arcata CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Arcata CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Arcata CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those colleges that are within the Arcata CA region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, 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 may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Arcata CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Arcata CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Arcata
Enroll in the Best Arcata Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed 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 Arcata home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Arcata California.