Today’s post is going to be short, but I wanted to touch on a few considerations for those of you in your search for a paralegal school or program best suited to your needs. While location, cost, and curriculum are probably the first things that come to mind when choosing a school, you’ll want to consider some not so obvious things.
For instance, what is your commitment level to the paralegal profession? Paralegal education ranges from rather short certification programs to master’s degrees in paralegal studies or criminal justice. Some institutions offer education at all of these levels, while some just offer certificates. If you’re like most people in between jobs and considering other careers, you may just want to get your feet wet by obtaining a paralegal certification. This won’t take as much time as a paralegal degree, but it also won’t work as hard for you. On the other hand, if you’ve carefully considered being a paralegal and think you’d enjoy the profession, you may want to review four year colleges that offer degrees in paralegal studies.
Another big consideration is your existing time commitments. If you have an existing job and/or family that require a lot of your time, this doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t change careers and join the legal field. You may just require an online paralegal degree program where you can study at home, and at your own pace. When selecting an online paralegal school, it’s important to do your research, speak to students who have enrolled in the program if possible, and review the curriculum.
The quality of online paralegal schools can differ tremendously however. Some are not accredited and won’t be taken as seriously in the job market as others. You’ll want to take a look at the paralegal approved program list by the American Bar Association (ABA). Once there, select your state in the upper right corner to filter the list. Some offer online programs or extensions if they are a more traditional college. Look into the various extension programs of a particular school your interested in if you can’t relocate to their location.
Another thing to consider is the type of law you would like to focus or specialize in – maybe criminal law, probate law, or personal injury are more interesting to you than family law. Obviously different law firms specialize in different practice areas, so if you have a preference for which firm you’d like to eventually work, their specialty is something you want to take into account. Do you want to work for a litigator, which is a lawyer who tries cases in a courtroom in front of a jury? Or would environmental or family law be more of interest to you? Some paralegal schools are stronger in certain areas of the law than others, and so this can factor into your decision.
If possible, you’ll want to interview some existing professional paralegals and as many other members of the legal community as you can get approach. Veterans are great resources to tap for insight into the everyday life of a paralegal, and the most direct route toward becoming one.
As for school resources, most reputable schools offer the following items at a minimum:
- Experienced faculty and program directors
- A legal research library
- Access to a computer labs
- Student organizations and activities, preferably legal career specific ones
- Solid curriculum with legal theory along with practical application specific education and general ed.
- Internship opportunities, practicum, and/or clinical opportunities
As you can see, there are many factors beyond the obvious ones like location and budget to consider when choosing a paralegal school that’s right for you. Just do your research and talk to as many people in the legal community as possible for recommendations. Obviously, this is an important decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
