Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Claremont California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Claremont CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into consideration also. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Claremont CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Claremont CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Claremont CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Claremont CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Claremont CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Claremont CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. 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 need to first investigate those schools that are within the Claremont CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Claremont CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Claremont CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Claremont
Enroll in the Right Claremont Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies certificate program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Claremont home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Claremont California.
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