Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Right One Near Burbank California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Burbank CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the ideal program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best option 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 taken into consideration also. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Burbank CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more common and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Burbank CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training 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, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Burbank CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical issues to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable 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 targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Burbank CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Burbank CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Burbank CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Burbank CA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Burbank CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Burbank CA, make sure 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, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Burbank
Enroll in the Best Burbank Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies training program is a vital first step to guarantee 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 Burbank home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions make available 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 career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Burbank California.