Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Santa Paula CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively 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 respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Santa Paula CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Santa Paula CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Santa Paula CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable 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 from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Santa Paula CA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Santa Paula CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Santa Paula CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.