Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Honolulu HI 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 especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical factors to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Honolulu HI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Honolulu HI law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, 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 remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Honolulu HI legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in Hawaii or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you want 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 want to first consider those schools that are within the Honolulu HI region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Honolulu HI. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match 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 Honolulu HI, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.