Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Stockton California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Stockton CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your decision. But first, 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 essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Stockton CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 program (we will address 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 Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for students living in Stockton CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Stockton CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some 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 decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Stockton CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Stockton CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Stockton CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Stockton CA area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Stockton CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Stockton CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Stockton
Choose the Best Stockton Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Stockton residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Stockton California.