Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Sun Lakes Arizona
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Sun Lakes AZ and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Sun Lakes AZ attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions 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 trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Sun Lakes AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Sun Lakes AZ searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Sun Lakes AZ area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant aspects to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify 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 also. Numerous Sun Lakes AZ law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Sun Lakes AZ law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Sun Lakes AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those schools that are within the Sun Lakes AZ area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Sun Lakes AZ. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Sun Lakes AZ, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Sun Lakes
Enroll in the Best Sun Lakes Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal degree school is a crucial 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 on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Sun Lakes residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Sun Lakes Arizona.
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