Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Westmont California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Westmont CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into consideration too. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Westmont CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for those living in Westmont CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized 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 ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Westmont CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential 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 important aspects to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Westmont CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, 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 paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Westmont CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Westmont CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance 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 graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Westmont CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Westmont CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Westmont CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Westmont
Enroll in the Right Westmont Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies training 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 Westmont home. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade 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 broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Westmont California.