Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Burlingame California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Burlingame CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous alternatives? Some potential students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into consideration as well. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the educational choices 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 arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Burlingame CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Burlingame CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more 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 reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Burlingame CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important factors 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 investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Burlingame CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Burlingame CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Burlingame CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Burlingame CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Burlingame CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Burlingame CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Burlingame
Choose the Best Burlingame Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step toward 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 comfort and privacy of your Burlingame residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Burlingame California.
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