Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Right One Near Fortuna Foothills Arizona
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fortuna Foothills AZ, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many options? Some potential students start by trying to find schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you must consider. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Fortuna Foothills AZ lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. 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 Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Fortuna Foothills AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Fortuna Foothills AZ searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Fortuna Foothills AZ area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential 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 consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Fortuna Foothills AZ law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Fortuna Foothills AZ law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind 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 offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Fortuna Foothills AZ legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools 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 substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those schools that are within the Fortuna Foothills AZ region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned 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 supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Fortuna Foothills AZ. Naturally 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 paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Fortuna Foothills AZ, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Fortuna Foothills
Enroll in the Best Fortuna Foothills Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Fortuna Foothills residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Fortuna Foothills Arizona.
Fortuna Foothills Paralegal Certificate | Fortuna Foothills Paralegal Degrees