Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Van Nuys California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Van Nuys CA and start your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more academic options are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Many potential students begin by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the educational choices 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 academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Van Nuys CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits 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.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for those living in Van Nuys CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Van Nuys CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, 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 several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Van Nuys CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
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 new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Van Nuys CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Van Nuys CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Van Nuys CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Van Nuys CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Van Nuys CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Van Nuys
Enroll in the Right Van Nuys Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies degree school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Van Nuys home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Van Nuys California.