Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Shoreline Washington
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Shoreline WA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be considered also. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Shoreline WA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained 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 acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Washington to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and can be a good alternative for those living in Shoreline WA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Shoreline WA 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 particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Shoreline WA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Shoreline WA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when 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 office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Shoreline WA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Washington legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Washington or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the Shoreline WA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Shoreline WA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Shoreline WA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose offers that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Shoreline
Choose the Best Shoreline Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal training program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Shoreline residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community 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 opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Shoreline Washington.