Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Redding California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Redding CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you must consider. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Redding CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be a good option for individuals living in Redding CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Redding CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Redding CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. 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 quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Redding CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Redding CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success 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 highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Redding CA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Redding CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Redding CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Redding
Enroll in the Right Redding Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies training school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Redding residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive 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 ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Redding California.