Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near Pasadena California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Pasadena CA and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students begin by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Pasadena CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Pasadena CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Pasadena CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant factors to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Pasadena CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering 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 select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Pasadena CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Pasadena CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out 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 sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Pasadena CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember 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 expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Pasadena CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Pasadena CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Pasadena
Choose the Best Pasadena Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal training program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed 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 Pasadena residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Pasadena California.
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