Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Denver Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Denver CO and start your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? Many prospective students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be taken into consideration also. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Denver CO is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and may be a good option for individuals living in Denver CO searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Denver CO area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal 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 program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Denver CO law firms will only employ 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? Investigate 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 experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Denver CO law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Denver CO legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those schools that are within the Denver CO area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Denver CO. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Denver CO, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Denver
Choose the Best Denver Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal degree school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Denver home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Denver Colorado.