Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Palo Alto California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Palo Alto CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school must be taken into consideration as well. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your choice. But first, let's take a look at the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training 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 opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Palo Alto CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and can be a good alternative for students living in Palo Alto CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Palo Alto CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical factors to consider as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Palo Alto CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out 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 rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Palo Alto CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Palo Alto CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those colleges that are within the Palo Alto CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Palo Alto CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Palo Alto CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Palo Alto
Enroll in the Best Palo Alto Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Palo Alto home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program 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 carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Palo Alto California.
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