Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Goodyear Arizona
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Goodyear AZ, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the right school so that you will get 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 educational options are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be considered also. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Goodyear AZ lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their everyday activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training 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 academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Goodyear AZ is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Goodyear AZ searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Goodyear AZ area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important issues to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Goodyear AZ law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Goodyear AZ law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Goodyear AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in Arizona or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Goodyear AZ area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Goodyear AZ. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Goodyear AZ, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Goodyear
Enroll in the Right Goodyear Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Goodyear home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad 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 obtain 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 selection. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Goodyear Arizona.
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