Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Oro Valley Arizona
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Oro Valley AZ, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into account as well. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Oro Valley AZ lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping 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 quite challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos 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 are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Oro Valley AZ is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining 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 Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Oro Valley AZ looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education 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 agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Oro Valley AZ area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Oro Valley AZ law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Oro Valley AZ law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Oro Valley AZ legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those schools that are within the Oro Valley AZ area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Oro Valley AZ. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Oro Valley AZ, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Oro Valley
Choose the Right Oro Valley Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies degree school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Oro Valley home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Oro Valley Arizona.
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