Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Lakewood California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Lakewood CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school must be considered too. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Lakewood CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose 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 improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Lakewood CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Lakewood CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can 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 potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some 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 choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Lakewood CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. 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. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Lakewood CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to start developing contacts within the Lakewood CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you want 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 may wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Lakewood CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, 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 assistance might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Lakewood CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Lakewood CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Lakewood
Choose the Right Lakewood Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Lakewood home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Lakewood California.
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