Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near Goodyear Arizona
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Goodyear AZ, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to succeed. More and more academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account too. We will cover those issues and other crucial 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 choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable 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 different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Goodyear AZ lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their everyday activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really 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 volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Goodyear AZ is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be a good alternative for students living in Goodyear AZ looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Goodyear AZ area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential 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 the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. 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 Goodyear AZ law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Goodyear AZ law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Goodyear AZ legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Goodyear AZ region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, 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 as well. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize part of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Goodyear AZ. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Goodyear AZ, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Goodyear
Enroll in the Best Goodyear Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal training school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Goodyear residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Goodyear Arizona.