Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Honolulu Hawaii
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Honolulu HI, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you need to consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into consideration too. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Honolulu HI is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Hawaii to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies in the profession 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Honolulu HI looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example 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 may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Honolulu HI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant issues to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Honolulu HI law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Honolulu HI law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, 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 firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Honolulu HI legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Hawaii legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in Hawaii or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those colleges that are within the Honolulu HI region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Honolulu HI. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Honolulu HI, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Honolulu
Choose the Right Honolulu Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Honolulu residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Honolulu Hawaii.