Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Pittsburg California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Pittsburg CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, 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. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Pittsburg CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Pittsburg CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Pittsburg CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal 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 school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Pittsburg CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Pittsburg CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Pittsburg CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since 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 practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Pittsburg CA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Pittsburg CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Pittsburg CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Pittsburg
Choose the Best Pittsburg Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee 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 participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Pittsburg residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Pittsburg California.