Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Tacoma Washington
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Tacoma WA and begin your journey that will lead to a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous alternatives? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at the educational options 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 perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Tacoma WA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Washington to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job 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 school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Tacoma WA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Tacoma WA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to research also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Tacoma WA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Tacoma WA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Tacoma WA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Washington legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Washington or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those schools that are within the Tacoma WA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Tacoma WA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Tacoma WA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Tacoma
Enroll in the Best Tacoma Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree school is an essential 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 at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Tacoma home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Tacoma Washington.