Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Sun Lakes Arizona
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Sun Lakes AZ, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students begin by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be considered also. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold 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 are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Sun Lakes AZ attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training 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 job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Sun Lakes AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for students living in Sun Lakes AZ looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Sun Lakes AZ area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many 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 critical aspects to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive 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 quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Sun Lakes AZ law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose 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 some Sun Lakes AZ law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Sun Lakes AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those schools that are within the Sun Lakes AZ region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Sun Lakes AZ. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Sun Lakes AZ, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Sun Lakes
Enroll in the Best Sun Lakes Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Sun Lakes residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain 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 final decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Sun Lakes Arizona.