Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Santa Monica California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Santa Monica CA and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the legal field, 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 so many alternatives? Some potential students start by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at the instructional choices that are available 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. As a result, for either position the educational requirements 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 require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Santa Monica CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Santa Monica CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant issues to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Santa Monica CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Santa Monica CA law offices 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 outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Santa Monica CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Santa Monica CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help offset part 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 decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely 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, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Santa Monica
Enroll in the Right Santa Monica Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Santa Monica home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your training 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 final selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Santa Monica California.
Santa Monica Paralegal Schools | Santa Monica Paralegal Training