Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Nogales Arizona
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Nogales AZ, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest 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. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Nogales AZ attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their everyday activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Nogales AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations in the profession 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 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 legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be an excellent option for those living in Nogales AZ searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, 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 receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Nogales AZ area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial factors to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Nogales AZ law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Nogales AZ law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Nogales AZ legal community. Ask 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 provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you want to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Nogales AZ region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Nogales AZ. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Nogales 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 provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Nogales
Choose the Right Nogales Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies training program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Nogales residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various types 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 school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Nogales Arizona.