Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Antelope California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Antelope CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, 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 help Antelope CA lawyers 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 based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly 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 Antelope CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few 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 program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Antelope CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Antelope CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to consider 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 programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school 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 can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Antelope CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying 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 call some Antelope CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Antelope CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first 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 placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Antelope CA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Antelope CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Antelope CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Antelope
Choose the Best Antelope Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal degree school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Antelope home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Antelope California.
Antelope Paralegal Training | Antelope How To Become A Paralegal