Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near Pleasanton California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Pleasanton CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational choices 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 fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Pleasanton CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Pleasanton CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Pleasanton CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Pleasanton CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Pleasanton CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Pleasanton CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success 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 corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those schools that are within the Pleasanton CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Pleasanton CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Pleasanton CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Pleasanton
Choose the Right Pleasanton Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal training program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Pleasanton home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Pleasanton California.
Pleasanton Paralegal Schools | Pleasanton Paralegal Training