Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Scotts Valley California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Scotts Valley CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Scotts Valley CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When 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 can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies in the profession 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 obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be a good option for students living in Scotts Valley CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools 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 quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Scotts Valley CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical factors to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Scotts Valley CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Scotts Valley CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Scotts Valley CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement 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 highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those colleges that are within the Scotts Valley CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Scotts Valley CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Scotts Valley CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Scotts Valley
Choose the Best Scotts Valley Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal training program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed 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 Scotts Valley home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide 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 influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Scotts Valley California.
Scotts Valley Paralegal Certificate | Scotts Valley Paralegal Degrees