Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Best One Near Whittier California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Whittier CA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Many potential students start by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into consideration also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic alternatives that are available 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. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Whittier CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Whittier CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Whittier CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly 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 begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Whittier CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Whittier CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Whittier CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Whittier CA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Whittier CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Whittier CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Whittier
Choose the Right Whittier Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal certificate school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Whittier home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide 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 decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Whittier California.