Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near Redwood City California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Redwood City CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you need to consider. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially 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 fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Redwood City CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important 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 schools have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Redwood City CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more 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 looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Redwood City CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant aspects to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program 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 program, it might 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 receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Redwood City CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special 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 school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Redwood City CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to start developing contacts within the Redwood City CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Redwood City CA area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help minimize part of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Redwood City CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have 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 sure that the program you select offers that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Redwood City
Choose the Right Redwood City Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Redwood City home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Redwood City California.
Redwood City Paralegal Programs | Redwood City Paralegal Certificate Programs