Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Sierra Vista Arizona
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Sierra Vista AZ and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are becoming available, both at school and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program must be taken into account as well. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Sierra Vista 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 based upon the type of legal firm 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, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Sierra Vista AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and can be a good alternative for students living in Sierra Vista AZ searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example 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 may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Sierra Vista AZ area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Sierra Vista AZ law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school 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 several Sierra Vista AZ law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Sierra Vista AZ legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Sierra Vista AZ region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Sierra Vista AZ. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Sierra Vista AZ, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Sierra Vista
Choose the Best Sierra Vista Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal certificate program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Sierra Vista residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Sierra Vista Arizona.
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