It is not mandatory for anybody interested in a paralegal career to get formal paralegal training.
There are many law firms that will hire people with no formal paralegal training and continue to train them on the job.
In house training is an excellent way to learn the ropes of being a legal assistant or for any other job.
Why Attend A Paralegal School?
However, it is always a good idea to attend a paralegal school and get a certificate showing that you have formal education.
This is because some law firms will not hire people without proof of paralegal training.
If you opt to get some paralegal training, you should choose, as much as is possible, a paralegal school that has accreditation status. It is still possible to get employment after attending one of the paralegal schools that is not accredited.
This is true particularly if the state does not have a local accrediting body.
When looking for a paralegal school, the school’s accreditation status is not the only thing you should look into though.
An important factor to consider is the school’s reputation. You should do some research on the schools you are considering to find out what past and present students say about the school.
You can, if possible, visit the school campus to get a feel of it. The internet is a very useful resource when you are looking for information. It may also be a good idea to talk to members of the legal fraternity to hear their thoughts on the quality of the school.
Researching Your Paralegal School
When researching the school’s reputation, you should also look into its faculty.
The people teaching the program directly affect its quality. Questions to ask are how qualified is the teaching staff?
Are the teachers trained paralegals or lawyers? How are lectures delivered?
It is crucial to find out if there is opportunity to participate in clinical or practical experiences and of the school arranges these for the students.
The curriculum or coursework is another important consideration. It should include classes in law, ethics, torts, critical thinking and any other relevant courses.
Checking out the paralegal school is particularly crucial for distance learning and online programs.
There are a lot of bogus and phony online or distance learning programs set up by scam artists to swindle unsuspecting individuals.
You should go to the official website for the Distance Education and Training Council to check out the legitimacy of the online or distance learning paralegal school you are considering.