Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Long Beach California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Long Beach CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs 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 academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Long Beach CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Long Beach CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Long Beach CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when 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 crucial factors to consider as well, 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 schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Long Beach CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Long Beach CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Long Beach CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Long Beach CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost 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 obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Long Beach CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Long Beach CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Long Beach
Enroll in the Right Long Beach Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Long Beach residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Long Beach California.
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