Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Best One Near Salinas California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Salinas CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. More and more academic choices are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into account also. Later in this article we will review 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 take a look at the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Salinas CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal 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. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 program (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 legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Salinas CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Salinas CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Salinas CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Salinas CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Salinas CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Salinas CA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Salinas CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Salinas CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Salinas
Choose the Best Salinas Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Salinas home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Salinas California.