Paralegal Studies Course
How to Select the Best One Near Duarte California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Duarte CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of academic options 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 with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many potential students begin by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education 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 fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Duarte CA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded 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 school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and may be a good option for individuals living in Duarte CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools 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 quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Duarte 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 degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Duarte CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Duarte CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Duarte CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial 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. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those schools that are within the Duarte CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Duarte CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Duarte CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Duarte
Choose the Right Duarte Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree program is a crucial first step to guarantee 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Duarte home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, 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 career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Duarte California.