Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Barstow California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Barstow CA and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you find the right program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous options? Some potential students start by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other important 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 options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Barstow CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their day-to-day tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Barstow CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be an excellent option for individuals living in Barstow CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Barstow CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important factors to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Barstow CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? 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 field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Barstow CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Barstow CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the neighboring 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 reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those colleges that are within the Barstow CA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. 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 also. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Barstow CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Barstow CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Barstow
Choose the Right Barstow Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies degree program is an essential first step toward 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 Barstow residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Barstow California.