Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Best One Near Buckeye Arizona
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Buckeye AZ and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into consideration too. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Buckeye AZ attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Buckeye AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies in the field 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 benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be a good option for students living in Buckeye AZ looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Buckeye AZ area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee 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 Buckeye AZ law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Buckeye AZ law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Buckeye AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Buckeye AZ region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Buckeye AZ. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Buckeye AZ, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Buckeye
Choose the Best Buckeye Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies degree school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Buckeye home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Buckeye Arizona.