Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Chino CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when 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 driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important factors to consider as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few 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 selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Chino CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you select 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 several Chino CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Chino CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing 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 students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Chino CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Chino CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Chino CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.