Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Santa Rosa California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Santa Rosa CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be considered too. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Santa Rosa CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be a good option for those living in Santa Rosa CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Santa Rosa CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical aspects to research 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 schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should 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 targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Santa Rosa CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Santa Rosa CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Santa Rosa CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer 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 hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Santa Rosa CA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, 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 as well. Financial aid might be available to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Santa Rosa CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Santa Rosa CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Santa Rosa
Choose the Right Santa Rosa Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal training school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 privacy and comfort of your Santa Rosa home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Santa Rosa California.