Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Monrovia California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Monrovia CA and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Monrovia CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and may be a good option for those living in Monrovia CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a 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 may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Monrovia CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many 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 think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Monrovia CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research 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 work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Monrovia CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Monrovia CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those schools that are within the Monrovia CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Monrovia CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Monrovia CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you select provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Monrovia
Enroll in the Best Monrovia Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Monrovia residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Monrovia California.