Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near San Jose California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near San Jose CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs 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 prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in San Jose CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in San Jose CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the San Jose CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous San Jose CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some San Jose CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin creating contacts within the San Jose CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good 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 Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those schools that are within the San Jose CA area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. 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 obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in San Jose CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near San Jose CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in San Jose
Enroll in the Best San Jose Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal certificate school is an important 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 comfort and privacy of your San Jose residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in San Jose California.