Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Berkeley California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Berkeley CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? Some potential students begin by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be considered too. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational options 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 possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Berkeley CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more available and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Berkeley CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, 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 obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering 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 conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Berkeley CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant aspects to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Berkeley CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Berkeley CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Berkeley CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field 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 an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Berkeley CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Berkeley CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Berkeley CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Berkeley
Choose the Best Berkeley Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Berkeley residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Berkeley California.