Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Honolulu Hawaii
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Honolulu HI, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational options that are offered 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 job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Honolulu HI is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Hawaii to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Honolulu HI looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Honolulu HI area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Honolulu HI law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Honolulu HI law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Honolulu HI legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Hawaii or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Honolulu HI region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, 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 might be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Honolulu HI. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Honolulu HI, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Honolulu
Choose the Best Honolulu Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed 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 Honolulu residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Honolulu Hawaii.
Honolulu Paralegal Certificate Programs | Honolulu Paralegal Certificate