Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Irvine CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial factors to consider also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can 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 obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Irvine CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Irvine CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the Irvine CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Irvine CA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Irvine CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Irvine CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.