Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near South Whittier California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near South Whittier CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. More and more educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? Many prospective students start by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in South Whittier CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for students living in South Whittier CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the South Whittier CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many South Whittier CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few South Whittier CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to start creating contacts within the South Whittier CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those colleges that are within the South Whittier CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable 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 South Whittier CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near South Whittier CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in South Whittier
Choose the Right South Whittier Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your South Whittier home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in South Whittier California.
South Whittier Paralegal Studies | South Whittier Paralegal Schools