Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Sun City West Arizona
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Sun City West AZ, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Many potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into consideration also. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Sun City West AZ lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their regular activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
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. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Sun City West AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for 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, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be a good option for students living in Sun City West AZ searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet 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 program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Sun City West AZ area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of 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 crucial aspects to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Sun City West AZ law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Sun City West AZ law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Sun City West AZ legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success 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 corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in Arizona or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason 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 live outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those colleges that are within the Sun City West AZ region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Sun City West AZ. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Sun City West AZ, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you select provides that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Sun City West
Enroll in the Right Sun City West Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training school is an important first step to guarantee 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 comfort and privacy of your Sun City West home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and 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 opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Sun City West Arizona.
Sun City West Paralegal Degrees | Sun City West Paralegal Courses