What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the North Fair Oaks CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential 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 important factors to consider also, including 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 effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many North Fair Oaks CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few North Fair Oaks CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the North Fair Oaks CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the North Fair Oaks CA region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in North Fair Oaks CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near North Fair Oaks CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.