Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Best One Near Palmdale California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Palmdale CA and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are being offered, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Palmdale CA is by earning a certificate, which may 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 can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Palmdale CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Palmdale CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important aspects to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Palmdale CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Palmdale CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to start developing contacts within the Palmdale CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those schools that are within the Palmdale CA region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Palmdale CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Palmdale CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Palmdale
Choose the Best Palmdale Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Palmdale residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Palmdale California.