Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Right One Near Atwater California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Atwater CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? Some potential students begin by trying to find schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, 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 many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Atwater CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents 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 perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Atwater CA is by earning a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some 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 discuss the benefits 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.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Atwater CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Atwater CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Atwater CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Atwater CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the Atwater CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those schools that are within the Atwater CA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Atwater CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Atwater CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Atwater
Enroll in the Right Atwater Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Atwater home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Atwater California.