Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Inglewood California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Inglewood CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered also. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Inglewood CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for 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, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and may be a good option for students living in Inglewood CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Inglewood CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Inglewood CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Inglewood CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Inglewood CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Inglewood CA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Inglewood CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Inglewood CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Inglewood
Choose the Best Inglewood Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Inglewood residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community 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 career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Inglewood California.
Inglewood Paralegal Certificate Programs | Inglewood Paralegal Certificate