Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Best One Near Kirkland Washington
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Kirkland WA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Kirkland WA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Washington to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be a good option for students living in Kirkland WA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Kirkland WA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important factors to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Kirkland WA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Kirkland WA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Kirkland WA 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 after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Washington legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Washington or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first investigate those schools that are within the Kirkland WA area.
What is the Complete 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 expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Kirkland WA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Kirkland WA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Kirkland
Enroll in the Right Kirkland Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal degree school is a crucial 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 at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Kirkland home. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating 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 evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Kirkland Washington.
Kirkland Paralegal Programs | Kirkland Paralegal Certificate Programs