Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Flowing Wells Arizona
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Flowing Wells AZ, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students start by trying to find schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Flowing Wells AZ lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Flowing Wells AZ is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification may 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 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 school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Flowing Wells AZ looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Flowing Wells AZ area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in 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 receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Flowing Wells AZ law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Flowing Wells AZ law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Flowing Wells AZ legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement 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 corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those schools that are within the Flowing Wells AZ area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Flowing Wells AZ. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Flowing Wells AZ, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Flowing Wells
Enroll in the Right Flowing Wells Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Flowing Wells residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Flowing Wells Arizona.
Flowing Wells Paralegal Degrees | Flowing Wells Paralegal Courses