Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Santa Ana California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Santa Ana CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the educational alternatives that are available 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 academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Santa Ana CA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained 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 employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Santa Ana CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Santa Ana CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important issues to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Santa Ana CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Santa Ana CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide 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 provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Santa Ana CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the Santa Ana CA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, 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 as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Santa Ana CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Santa Ana CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Santa Ana
Choose the Right Santa Ana Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Santa Ana home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Santa Ana California.
Santa Ana Paralegal Programs | Santa Ana Paralegal Certificate Programs