Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Pick the Best One Near Bakersfield California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Bakersfield CA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into consideration also. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Bakersfield CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, 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 requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Bakersfield CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired 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 also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations in the profession 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more available and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Bakersfield CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Bakersfield CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important factors to consider also, including 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 schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program 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 can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Bakersfield CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Bakersfield CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide 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 offer an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Bakersfield CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Bakersfield CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Bakersfield CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Bakersfield CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Bakersfield
Choose the Best Bakersfield Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Bakersfield residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions make available 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 profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Bakersfield California.
Bakersfield Paralegal Certificate | Bakersfield Paralegal Degrees