Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Long Beach California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Long Beach CA and start your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into account also. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Long Beach CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Long Beach CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Long Beach CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to 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 looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to consider as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may 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 training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Long Beach CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Long Beach CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Long Beach CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Long Beach CA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Long Beach CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Long Beach CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Long Beach
Choose the Best Long Beach Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Long Beach home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Long Beach California.