Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Fountain Hills Arizona
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Fountain Hills AZ and start your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered 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, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Fountain Hills AZ lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily tasks can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main 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 number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Fountain Hills AZ is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Fountain Hills AZ searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Fountain Hills AZ area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add 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 previously discussed, there are other important issues to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee 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. Many Fountain Hills AZ law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available 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 special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Fountain Hills AZ law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Fountain Hills AZ legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those schools that are within the Fountain Hills AZ area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. 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 also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Fountain Hills AZ. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Fountain Hills AZ, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Fountain Hills
Enroll in the Best Fountain Hills Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed 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 Fountain Hills residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Fountain Hills Arizona.
Fountain Hills Paralegal Degrees | Fountain Hills Paralegal Courses