Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Vail Arizona
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Vail AZ and begin your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill comparable job positions and functions, just 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 assist Vail AZ lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For 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 usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their everyday tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks 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, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Vail AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Vail AZ searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Vail AZ area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. 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 already covered, there are other critical issues to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Vail AZ law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select 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 contact several Vail AZ law offices that you may have an interest 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 exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Vail AZ legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those schools that are within the Vail AZ area.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Vail AZ. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Vail AZ, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose makes available that option. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Vail
Choose the Best Vail Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Vail home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Vail Arizona.