Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Santa Fe Springs California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Santa Fe Springs CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to achieve success. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Many potential students start by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. 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 basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Santa Fe Springs CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired 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 continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and may be a good alternative for students living in Santa Fe Springs CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced 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 guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Santa Fe Springs CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical issues to consider also, including 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 decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Santa Fe Springs CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Santa Fe Springs CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Santa Fe Springs CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to 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 Santa Fe Springs CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Santa Fe Springs CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Santa Fe Springs CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Santa Fe Springs
Choose the Best Santa Fe Springs Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered 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 Fe Springs home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Santa Fe Springs California.
Santa Fe Springs Paralegal Certificate Online | Santa Fe Springs Paralegal Studies