Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Arroyo Grande California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Arroyo Grande CA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many alternatives? Many potential students begin by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you should be asking 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 instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Arroyo Grande CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Arroyo Grande CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for those living in Arroyo Grande CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training 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 respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Arroyo Grande CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most 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 issues to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some 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 decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Arroyo Grande CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Arroyo Grande CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear 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 Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Arroyo Grande CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing 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 students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the Arroyo Grande CA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Arroyo Grande CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Arroyo Grande CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Arroyo Grande
Choose the Best Arroyo Grande Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal degree school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Arroyo Grande home. Paralegal education programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Arroyo Grande California.
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