Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in 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 fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into account too. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your decision. But first, let's have a look at the educational 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 opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Pasadena CA is by earning a certificate, which may take just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and may be a good alternative for those living in Pasadena CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Pasadena CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant issues to consider also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering 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 choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Pasadena CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying 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 a few Pasadena CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Pasadena CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign 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 Campus Located? Because laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you want to practice. 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 want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Pasadena CA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Pasadena CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Pasadena CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Pasadena
Enroll in the Right Pasadena Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal training program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered 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 home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects 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 irrespective of how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Pasadena California.