Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Orinda California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Orinda CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many potential students start by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be taken into account also. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Orinda CA is by earning a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be a good alternative for students living in Orinda CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Orinda CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most 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 factors to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected 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 distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Orinda CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose 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 some Orinda CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear 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 offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Orinda CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want 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 may wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Orinda CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Orinda CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Orinda CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Orinda
Choose the Right Orinda Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal training school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Orinda residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Orinda California.