Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Best One Near Lakewood California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Lakewood CA and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the academic alternatives that are available 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. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Lakewood CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be a good option for those living in Lakewood CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Lakewood CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant issues to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a recognized 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 focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Lakewood CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Lakewood CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Lakewood CA legal community. Ask 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 Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Lakewood CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Lakewood CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Lakewood CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Lakewood
Choose the Best Lakewood Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Lakewood home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Lakewood California.