Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Peoria Arizona
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Peoria AZ, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many potential students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into consideration as well. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, 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 Peoria AZ attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Peoria AZ is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and can be an excellent option for students living in Peoria AZ looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Peoria AZ area, in addition to vocational and trade 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 certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important factors to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Peoria AZ law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Peoria AZ law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Peoria AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Arizona or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the Peoria AZ area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Peoria AZ. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Peoria AZ, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Peoria
Choose the Right Peoria Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal certificate 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 on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Peoria residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Peoria Arizona.