Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Lakewood Colorado
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Lakewood CO, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous alternatives? Many potential students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into consideration as well. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Lakewood CO is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Colorado to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for those living in Lakewood CO looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Lakewood CO area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Lakewood CO law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Lakewood CO law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may 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 operation while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Lakewood CO legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out 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 indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Lakewood CO region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies 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 consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Lakewood CO. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Lakewood CO, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose offers that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Lakewood
Enroll in the Right Lakewood Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal training program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Lakewood residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Lakewood Colorado.