Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Right One Near Scottsdale Arizona
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Scottsdale AZ, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Scottsdale AZ attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their everyday activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Scottsdale AZ is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Scottsdale AZ looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Scottsdale 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 if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a respected 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 distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Scottsdale AZ law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Scottsdale AZ law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the Scottsdale AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically 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 getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in Arizona or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Scottsdale AZ area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Scottsdale AZ. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Scottsdale AZ, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Scottsdale
Choose the Right Scottsdale Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Scottsdale home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Scottsdale Arizona.
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