Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Albany California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Albany CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school need to be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in 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 and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Albany CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing 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 allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Albany CA is by obtaining 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 comprehensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and can be a good alternative for those living in Albany CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Albany CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical factors to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several 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 decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Albany CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually 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 looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Albany CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Albany CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Albany CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Albany CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Albany CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Albany
Enroll in the Best Albany Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Albany home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Albany California.