Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Hilo Hawaii
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Hilo HI and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into consideration too. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Hilo HI is by earning a certificate, which may take just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Hawaii to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Hilo HI searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Hilo HI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. 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 factors to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School 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 get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Hilo HI law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Hilo HI law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Hilo HI legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging 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 sizable networks and good relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Hawaii or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Hilo HI region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Hilo HI. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Hilo HI, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Hilo
Choose the Right Hilo Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Hilo home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Hilo Hawaii.