Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Auburn California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Auburn CA and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, 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 Auburn CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their everyday activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
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 educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Auburn CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for students living in Auburn CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Auburn CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several 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 selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Auburn CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Auburn CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Auburn CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those schools that are within the Auburn CA area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Auburn CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Auburn CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Auburn
Enroll in the Best Auburn Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal degree school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Auburn home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Auburn California.
Auburn Paralegal Training | Auburn How To Become A Paralegal