Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Fountain Hills Arizona
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fountain Hills AZ, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Fountain Hills AZ attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Fountain Hills AZ is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and can be a good option for individuals living in Fountain Hills AZ looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Fountain Hills AZ area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial factors to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain 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 get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Fountain Hills AZ law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Fountain Hills AZ law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Fountain Hills AZ legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in Arizona or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. 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 investigate those schools that are within the Fountain Hills AZ region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Fountain Hills AZ. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Fountain Hills AZ, verify classes are available 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. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Fountain Hills
Enroll in the Best Fountain Hills Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Fountain Hills residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Fountain Hills Arizona.
Fountain Hills Paralegal Certificate Programs | Fountain Hills Paralegal Certificate