Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the View Park Windsor Hills CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must 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 the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to research as well, for instance 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 considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many View Park Windsor Hills CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several View Park Windsor Hills CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the View Park Windsor Hills CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those schools that are within the View Park Windsor Hills CA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in View Park Windsor Hills CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near View Park Windsor Hills CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.