Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Irvine California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Irvine CA and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Irvine CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and can be a good option for students living in Irvine CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Irvine CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical issues to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program 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 may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Irvine CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Irvine CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Irvine CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those schools that are within the Irvine CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Irvine CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Irvine CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Irvine
Enroll in the Best Irvine Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Irvine home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Irvine California.