Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Bay Point California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Bay Point CA and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? A number of prospective students begin by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one prior to making your choice. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job roles 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 Bay Point CA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties 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, lawyers are able to handle 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 possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Bay Point CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice 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 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be a good option for individuals living in Bay Point CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Bay Point CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about 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 programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a recognized organization 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 targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Bay Point CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Bay Point CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Bay Point CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Bay Point CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Bay Point CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Bay Point CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Bay Point
Choose the Best Bay Point Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Bay Point home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Bay Point California.
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