Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Santa Monica California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Santa Monica CA and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school should be taken into consideration also. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Santa Monica CA is by earning a certificate, which may take just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and can be an excellent option for students living in Santa Monica CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs 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 caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Santa Monica 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 particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, 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 programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Santa Monica CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Santa Monica CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Santa Monica CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you choose 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 want to first investigate those schools that are within the Santa Monica CA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Santa Monica CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Santa Monica CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Santa Monica
Enroll in the Best Santa Monica Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Santa Monica residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Santa Monica California.
Santa Monica Paralegal Certificate Programs | Santa Monica Paralegal Certificate