Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in 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 start the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be considered also. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job positions and functions, just 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 classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Cottonwood AZ lawyers with a wide range of job functions, 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. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to manage a much larger number 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 possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Cottonwood AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Cottonwood AZ looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Cottonwood AZ area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential 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 crucial aspects to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Cottonwood AZ law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Cottonwood AZ law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer 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 start developing contacts within the Cottonwood AZ legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Arizona or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Cottonwood AZ region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Cottonwood AZ. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Cottonwood AZ, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Cottonwood
Choose the Right Cottonwood Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Cottonwood home. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Cottonwood Arizona.
Cottonwood Paralegal Programs | Cottonwood Paralegal Certificate Programs