Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Northglenn Colorado
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Northglenn CO and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many alternatives? Some potential students start by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, 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 school need to be considered as well. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the academic options 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. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Northglenn CO is by earning a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Colorado to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and can be a good option for individuals living in Northglenn CO looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Northglenn CO area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to consider also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Northglenn CO law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Northglenn CO law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Northglenn CO legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Colorado legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Colorado or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Northglenn CO area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Northglenn CO. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Northglenn CO, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Northglenn
Choose the Best Northglenn Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies training school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Northglenn residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Northglenn Colorado.