Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Santa Clara CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Santa Clara CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Santa Clara CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Santa Clara CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing 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 want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Santa Clara CA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Santa Clara CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Santa Clara CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.