Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near San Pedro California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near San Pedro CA and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students start by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in San Pedro CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be a good option for those living in San Pedro CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the San Pedro CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many 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 important aspects to consider as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of San Pedro CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several San Pedro CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating 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 exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the San Pedro CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the San Pedro CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in San Pedro CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near San Pedro CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in San Pedro
Enroll in the Right San Pedro Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies training program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your San Pedro home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in San Pedro California.