Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Piedmont California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Piedmont CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? Some prospective students begin by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into account also. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Piedmont CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address 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 Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and can be a good alternative for those living in Piedmont CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training 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 highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Piedmont CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Piedmont CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Piedmont CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Piedmont CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially investigate those schools that are within the Piedmont CA region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Piedmont CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Piedmont CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Piedmont
Enroll in the Best Piedmont Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Piedmont residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Piedmont California.
Piedmont Paralegal Training | Piedmont How To Become A Paralegal