Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near American Canyon California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near American Canyon CA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more educational options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be considered also. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist American Canyon CA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very 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 they are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training 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 educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in American Canyon CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for students living in American Canyon CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the American Canyon CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many American Canyon CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some American Canyon CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the American Canyon CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the American Canyon CA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. 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 as well. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in American Canyon CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near American Canyon CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in American Canyon
Choose the Right American Canyon Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your American Canyon residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational 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 wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in American Canyon California.
American Canyon Paralegal Studies | American Canyon Paralegal Schools