Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Los Altos California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Los Altos CA and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education 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 launch your career as a legal assistant in Los Altos CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be a good alternative for students living in Los Altos CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Los Altos CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization 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 obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Los Altos CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Los Altos CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Los Altos CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Los Altos CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Los Altos CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Los Altos CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Los Altos
Choose the Right Los Altos Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Los Altos residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Los Altos California.
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