Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Right One Near West Hills California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near West Hills CA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training 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 quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in West Hills CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies in the field 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and may be a good option for those living in West Hills CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the West Hills CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical factors to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should 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 distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of West Hills CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few West Hills CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could 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 attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the West Hills CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those colleges that are within the West Hills CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in West Hills CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near West Hills CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in West Hills
Enroll in the Best West Hills Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 West Hills residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available 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 impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in West Hills California.
West Hills Paralegal Schools | West Hills Paralegal Training