Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near East Palo Alto California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near East Palo Alto CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program should be considered also. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at the academic choices that are available 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 opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in East Palo Alto CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for students living in East Palo Alto CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure 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 study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the East Palo Alto CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of East Palo Alto CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some East Palo Alto CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the East Palo Alto CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement 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's Location? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of 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 charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those schools that are within the East Palo Alto CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in East Palo Alto CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near East Palo Alto CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in East Palo Alto
Enroll in the Best East Palo Alto Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies degree school is a vital 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your East Palo Alto residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in East Palo Alto California.
East Palo Alto Paralegal Programs | East Palo Alto Paralegal Certificate Programs