Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Arden Arcade California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Arden Arcade CA and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to succeed. More and more academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? Some prospective students start by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into account as well. We will discuss those topics and other crucial 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 exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Arden Arcade CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, 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 work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their regular tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers 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 actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Arden Arcade CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential 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 common and may be a good option for those living in Arden Arcade CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover 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 sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Arden Arcade CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important factors to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a respected organization 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 get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Arden Arcade CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Arden Arcade CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Arden Arcade CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting 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 a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Arden Arcade CA region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help minimize some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Arden Arcade CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Arden Arcade CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Arden Arcade
Enroll in the Best Arden Arcade Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree school is an important 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Arden Arcade home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each program and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Arden Arcade California.
Arden Arcade Paralegal Schools | Arden Arcade Paralegal Training