Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Best One Near Alamo California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Alamo CA and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the ideal program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, 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 go about enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be considered too. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically 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 belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Alamo CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, 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 varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly 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 begin your career as a paralegal in Alamo CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work 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 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 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 paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Alamo CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program 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 formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Alamo CA 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 if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to consider as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Alamo CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid 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 looking at. This is of special 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. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Alamo CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Alamo CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire 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 might need to initially consider those schools that are within the Alamo CA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Alamo CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Alamo CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Alamo
Choose the Best Alamo Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal certificate program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 privacy and comfort of your Alamo home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Alamo California.