Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Hilo Hawaii
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Hilo HI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? Some potential students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Hilo HI is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Hawaii to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Hilo HI searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Hilo HI area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant issues to consider also, including 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 researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Hilo HI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. 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 caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Hilo HI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Hilo HI legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Hawaii or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the Hilo HI region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Hilo HI. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require 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, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Hilo
Enroll in the Right Hilo Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal training program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Hilo home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Hilo Hawaii.