Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Pomona California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Pomona CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be considered too. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at the instructional options 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 academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Pomona CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose 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 job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Pomona CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Pomona CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select 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 online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Pomona CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Pomona CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Pomona CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those colleges that are within the Pomona CA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Pomona CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Pomona CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Pomona
Choose the Right Pomona Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial 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 at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Pomona residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Pomona California.