Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the San Francisco CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many 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 critical issues to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain 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 get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous San Francisco CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some San Francisco CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear 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 offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the San Francisco CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ among states, it may 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 valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. 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 schools that are within the San Francisco CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in San Francisco CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near San Francisco CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.