Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Anaheim California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Anaheim CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, 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 different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Anaheim CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. 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 since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Anaheim CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and may be an excellent option for those living in Anaheim CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain 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, such as 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 right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Anaheim CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical aspects to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a recognized 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 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 Anaheim CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Anaheim CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Anaheim CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Anaheim CA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Anaheim CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Anaheim CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Anaheim
Enroll in the Best Anaheim Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Anaheim home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Anaheim California.
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