Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Verde Village Arizona
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Verde Village AZ, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you must consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into account too. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Verde Village AZ attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their routine activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because 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 Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Verde Village AZ is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for students living in Verde Village AZ searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Verde Village AZ area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select 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 focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Verde Village AZ law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Verde Village AZ law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Verde Village AZ legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement 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 confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in Arizona or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Verde Village AZ area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Verde Village AZ. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Verde Village AZ, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Verde Village
Choose the Best Verde Village Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal certificate program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Verde Village home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training 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 right training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Verde Village Arizona.
Verde Village Paralegal Certificate | Verde Village Paralegal Degrees