Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Country Walk FL area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant aspects to consider as well, 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 programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to 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 focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Country Walk FL law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Country Walk FL law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep 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 Sponsor 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 a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Country Walk FL legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Florida legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Florida or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those schools that are within the Country Walk FL area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Country Walk FL. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Country Walk FL, 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. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.