Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Salinas California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Salinas CA and begin your journey that will result in 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 be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's have a look at the educational 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. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Salinas CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be a good option for individuals living in Salinas CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Salinas CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial aspects to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering 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 pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Salinas CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Salinas CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Salinas CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire 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 want to first consider those colleges that are within the Salinas CA region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, 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 as well. Financial aid may be available to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Salinas CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Salinas CA, verify classes are offered 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, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Salinas
Enroll in the Best Salinas Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Salinas home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, 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 profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Salinas California.
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