Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Mesa Arizona
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Mesa AZ, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with numerous options? A number of potential students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option 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 school must be taken into consideration too. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your selection. 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 for the most part both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Mesa AZ attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand 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 number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Mesa AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and can be a good option for those living in Mesa AZ searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Mesa AZ area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know 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 also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Mesa AZ law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program 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 Mesa AZ law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Mesa AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Mesa AZ area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost 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 available to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Mesa AZ. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Mesa AZ, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Mesa
Choose the Right Mesa Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Mesa residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Mesa Arizona.
Mesa Paralegal Certificate Programs | Mesa Paralegal Certificate