Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Los Angeles California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Los Angeles CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students start by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Los Angeles CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 program (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 legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Los Angeles CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Los Angeles CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Los Angeles CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Los Angeles CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Los Angeles CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating 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 undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Los Angeles CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Los Angeles CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Los Angeles CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Los Angeles
Choose the Best Los Angeles Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies certificate program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Los Angeles home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Los Angeles California.
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