Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Novato California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Novato CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? Many potential students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other important 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 instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Novato CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and may be a good option for students living in Novato CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about 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 earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Novato CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Novato CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Novato CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School 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 an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Novato CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid 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 students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Novato CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Novato CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced 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 solely attend night or weekend classes near Novato CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Novato
Enroll in the Right Novato Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Novato home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Novato California.
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