Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near Green Valley Arizona
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Green Valley AZ, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, 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 Green Valley AZ lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really 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 manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Green Valley AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be a good alternative for students living in Green Valley AZ looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational 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 Green Valley AZ area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Green Valley AZ law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Green Valley AZ law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Green Valley AZ legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing 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 good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Arizona or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Green Valley AZ region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the length 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 aid might be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Green Valley AZ. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Green Valley AZ, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Green Valley
Enroll in the Best Green Valley Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Green Valley residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training 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 final decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Green Valley Arizona.
Green Valley Paralegal Certificate Online | Green Valley Paralegal Studies