Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Santa Cruz California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Santa Cruz CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the instructional choices that are offered 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 educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Santa Cruz CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and can be a good option for students living in Santa Cruz CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Santa Cruz CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical aspects to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program 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 online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Santa Cruz CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Santa Cruz CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Santa Cruz CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Santa Cruz CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. 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 available to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Santa Cruz CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Santa Cruz CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Santa Cruz
Enroll in the Best Santa Cruz Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies degree school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Santa Cruz residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Santa Cruz California.