Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Redlands California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Redlands CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be considered too. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Redlands CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be a good option for individuals living in Redlands CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Redlands 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 when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Redlands CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Redlands 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 the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Redlands CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. 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 substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Redlands CA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Redlands CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Redlands CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Redlands
Enroll in the Best Redlands Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Redlands home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Redlands California.