Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Alameda California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Alameda CA and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. More and more academic options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you need to consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into account also. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational 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 fill comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Alameda CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Alameda CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and can be an excellent option for students living in Alameda CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Alameda CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable organization 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 training. Accreditation will not only certify 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 as well. Numerous Alameda CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select 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 some Alameda CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Alameda CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those schools that are within the Alameda CA region.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Alameda CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Alameda CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Alameda
Choose the Best Alameda Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Alameda residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Alameda California.
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