Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Berkeley California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Berkeley CA and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous alternatives? A number of prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the academic options 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 possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Berkeley CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose 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 job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Berkeley CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Berkeley CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization 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 distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Berkeley CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Berkeley CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Berkeley CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Berkeley CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Berkeley CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Berkeley CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Berkeley
Choose the Right Berkeley Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Berkeley residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Berkeley California.