What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Van Nuys CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical issues to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program 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 school, it may 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 standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Van Nuys CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you select 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 call several Van Nuys CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Van Nuys CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to practice. 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 need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Van Nuys CA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Van Nuys CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Van Nuys CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.