What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Lompoc CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important factors to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Lompoc CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program 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 call a few Lompoc CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Lompoc CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to build 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 live outside of their districts. So you might need to first investigate those schools that are within the Lompoc CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Lompoc CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Lompoc CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.