Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Cottonwood Arizona
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Cottonwood AZ, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you find the ideal program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Cottonwood AZ lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps 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 launch your career as a legal assistant in Cottonwood AZ is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure 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 prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Cottonwood AZ searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Cottonwood AZ area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected 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 online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Cottonwood AZ law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Cottonwood AZ law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Cottonwood AZ legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. 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 wish to first consider those schools that are within the Cottonwood AZ area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Cottonwood AZ. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Cottonwood AZ, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Cottonwood
Enroll in the Best Cottonwood Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal training program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Cottonwood home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your final decision. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Cottonwood Arizona.
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