Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Palmdale California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Palmdale CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? A number of prospective students start by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Palmdale CA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and may be a good option for individuals living in Palmdale CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Palmdale CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Palmdale CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special 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 training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Palmdale CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Palmdale CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement 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 corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Palmdale CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Palmdale CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Palmdale CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Palmdale
Choose the Best Palmdale Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Palmdale home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Palmdale California.
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