Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Shoreline Washington
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Shoreline WA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with numerous options? A number of potential students start by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your choice. 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 Programs 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 job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Shoreline WA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Washington to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Shoreline WA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Shoreline WA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial factors to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Shoreline WA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Shoreline WA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Shoreline WA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Washington legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Washington or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Shoreline WA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? 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 education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Shoreline WA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Shoreline WA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Shoreline
Choose the Right Shoreline Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Shoreline residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Shoreline Washington.
Shoreline Paralegal Certificate Programs | Shoreline Paralegal Certificate