Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Northridge California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Northridge CA and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more educational options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students start by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be considered as well. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Northridge CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more available and can be a good option for individuals living in Northridge CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss 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 school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Northridge CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Northridge CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Northridge CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Northridge CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide 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 finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those schools that are within the Northridge CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Northridge CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Northridge CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Northridge
Choose the Right Northridge Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Northridge residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection 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 carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Northridge California.
Northridge Paralegal Training | Northridge How To Become A Paralegal