Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Moreno Valley CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant factors to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Moreno Valley CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Moreno Valley CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Moreno Valley CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even 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 an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Moreno Valley CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Moreno Valley CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Moreno Valley CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.