Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Redding California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Redding CA and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training 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 academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Redding 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 furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Redding CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Redding CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Redding CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Redding CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Redding CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting 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 success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those schools that are within the Redding CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Redding CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Redding CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Redding
Choose the Right Redding Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Redding home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Redding California.