Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near San Luis Obispo California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near San Luis Obispo CA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of potential students start by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But first, let's take a look at the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education 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 job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in San Luis Obispo CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and receive 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 as well. A few of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more available and may be a good alternative for those living in San Luis Obispo CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools 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 program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the San Luis Obispo CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential 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 significant aspects to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several 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 selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of San Luis Obispo CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate 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 field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some San Luis Obispo CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the San Luis Obispo CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the San Luis Obispo CA region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in San Luis Obispo CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near San Luis Obispo CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in San Luis Obispo
Choose the Best San Luis Obispo Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal training school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 Luis Obispo residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in San Luis Obispo California.
San Luis Obispo Paralegal Degrees | San Luis Obispo Paralegal Courses