What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Healdsburg CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Healdsburg CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Healdsburg CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Healdsburg CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Healdsburg CA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Healdsburg CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Healdsburg CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.