What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Loveland CO 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 when you include 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain 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 show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Loveland CO law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program 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 a few Loveland CO law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the Loveland CO legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Colorado or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Loveland CO region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. 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 minimize part of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Loveland CO. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Loveland CO, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.