Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Mill Valley California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Mill Valley CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Mill Valley CA is by earning a certificate, which can require 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 obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for those living in Mill Valley CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Mill Valley CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to 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 the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical aspects to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Mill Valley CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Mill Valley CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Mill Valley CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Mill Valley CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Mill Valley CA. Naturally if you opt 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? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Mill Valley CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Mill Valley
Choose the Best Mill Valley Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal degree school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Mill Valley home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Mill Valley California.
Mill Valley Paralegal Degrees | Mill Valley Paralegal Courses