Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Eloy Arizona
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Eloy AZ, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be considered too. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Eloy AZ attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. 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 the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually 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 adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Eloy AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which may require 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 can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For 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 proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be a good option for individuals living in Eloy AZ looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Eloy AZ area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a respected 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 focuses on online or distance 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 also. Numerous Eloy AZ law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Eloy AZ law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Eloy AZ legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those colleges that are within the Eloy AZ region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Eloy AZ. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Eloy AZ, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select makes available that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Eloy
Choose the Right Eloy Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree program is a vital 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 Eloy residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Eloy Arizona.