Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Bayshore Gardens FL 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 include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization 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 online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Bayshore Gardens FL law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Bayshore Gardens FL law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Bayshore Gardens FL legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Florida or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Bayshore Gardens FL area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Bayshore Gardens FL. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Bayshore Gardens FL, make certain 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 process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.