Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Right One Near Sunnyvale California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Sunnyvale CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into consideration too. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's have a look at the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Sunnyvale CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 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 comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and may be a good option for students living in Sunnyvale CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools 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 quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Sunnyvale CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to research 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 schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable 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 online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Sunnyvale CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Sunnyvale CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Sunnyvale CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Sunnyvale CA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Sunnyvale CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Sunnyvale CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Sunnyvale
Choose the Best Sunnyvale Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal training program is a vital 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 Sunnyvale residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Sunnyvale California.