Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Right One Near Alhambra California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Alhambra CA and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to achieve success. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered 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. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Alhambra CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting 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 demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially 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 quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Alhambra CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can 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. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 school (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining 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 Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Alhambra CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who keep working 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 discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing 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 formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Alhambra CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate 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 start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial issues to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Alhambra CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Alhambra CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Alhambra CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Alhambra CA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Alhambra CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Alhambra CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose offers that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Alhambra
Enroll in the Best Alhambra Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is a vital 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 on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Alhambra residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, 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 pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Alhambra California.
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