Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Bakersfield California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Bakersfield CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students begin by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training 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 academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Bakersfield CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish 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 available also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Bakersfield CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Bakersfield CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to consider as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Bakersfield CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research 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 previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Bakersfield CA law practices that you may be interested 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 excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Bakersfield CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good 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 state to state, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those schools that are within the Bakersfield CA region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Bakersfield CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Bakersfield CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Bakersfield
Enroll in the Best Bakersfield Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Bakersfield home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Bakersfield California.
Bakersfield Paralegal Certificate Programs | Bakersfield Paralegal Certificate