Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Montclair California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Montclair CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into consideration also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Montclair CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Montclair CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater 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 program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Montclair CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Montclair CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Montclair CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Montclair CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Montclair CA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, 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 as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Montclair CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Montclair 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 choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Montclair
Enroll in the Best Montclair Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Montclair home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Montclair California.