Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Thousand Oaks CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose 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 receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Thousand Oaks CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Thousand Oaks CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Thousand Oaks CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement 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 corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Thousand Oaks CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Thousand Oaks CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Thousand Oaks CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.