Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Anaheim California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Anaheim CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? Some prospective students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Anaheim CA attorneys with a diverse array 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 legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Anaheim CA is by earning a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Anaheim CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Anaheim CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Anaheim CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Anaheim CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Anaheim CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Anaheim CA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Anaheim CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Anaheim CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Anaheim
Choose the Best Anaheim Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Anaheim home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Anaheim California.