Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Los Angeles California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Los Angeles CA and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus 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 start? Many prospective students start by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be considered as well. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Los Angeles CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Los Angeles CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Los Angeles CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive 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 obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Los Angeles CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Los Angeles CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Los Angeles CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those schools that are within the Los Angeles CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Los Angeles CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Los Angeles CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Los Angeles
Choose the Best Los Angeles Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Los Angeles residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Los Angeles California.
Los Angeles Paralegal Certificate | Los Angeles Paralegal Degrees