Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Monterey California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Monterey CA and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you should consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be taken into account as well. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Monterey CA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be a good option for individuals living in Monterey CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Monterey CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when 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 driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to consider as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Monterey CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific 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 training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Monterey CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Monterey CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Monterey CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost 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 aid might be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Monterey CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Monterey CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Monterey
Enroll in the Best Monterey Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Monterey home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Monterey California.
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