Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Surprise Arizona
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Surprise AZ, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be considered as well. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job positions and responsibilities, only 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 category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Surprise AZ attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as 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. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their everyday tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- 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 duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since 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 otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Surprise AZ is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Surprise AZ searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Surprise AZ area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Surprise AZ law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Surprise AZ law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Surprise AZ legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. 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 large 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 vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Arizona or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Surprise AZ region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Surprise AZ. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Surprise AZ, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Surprise
Choose the Best Surprise Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Surprise residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Surprise Arizona.