What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Wildomar CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial issues to research also, 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 researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. 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. Numerous Wildomar CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program 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 contact several Wildomar CA law firms 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 among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Wildomar CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? 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. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Wildomar CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Wildomar CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Wildomar CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.