Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Catalina Foothills Arizona
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Catalina Foothills AZ, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. More and more educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Catalina Foothills AZ lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their daily tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Catalina Foothills AZ is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be a good alternative for those living in Catalina Foothills AZ looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Catalina Foothills AZ area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Catalina Foothills AZ law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Catalina Foothills AZ law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Catalina Foothills AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to first consider those schools that are within the Catalina Foothills AZ area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Catalina Foothills AZ. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Catalina Foothills AZ, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Catalina Foothills
Choose the Right Catalina Foothills Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Catalina Foothills home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Catalina Foothills Arizona.
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