Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Redwood City California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Redwood City CA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with so many alternatives? A number of potential students start by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into consideration too. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training 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 educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Redwood City CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Redwood City CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss 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 program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Redwood City CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. 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 covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get 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 standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Redwood City CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Redwood City CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Redwood City CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Redwood City CA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Redwood City CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Redwood City CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Redwood City
Choose the Right Redwood City Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies degree program 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 Redwood City residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Redwood City California.
Redwood City Paralegal Certificate | Redwood City Paralegal Degrees