Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Stanford California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Stanford CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education 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 academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Stanford CA is by earning a certificate, which may take just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for those living in Stanford CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Stanford CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant factors to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Stanford CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Stanford CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Stanford CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success 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 confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. 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 want to first consider those colleges that are within the Stanford CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, 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 also. Financial aid may be available to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Stanford CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Stanford CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Stanford
Enroll in the Right Stanford Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies training program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Stanford home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Stanford California.
Stanford Paralegal Training | Stanford How To Become A Paralegal