Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Bay Point California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Bay Point CA and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many options? Many potential students start by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be considered also. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, 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 and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just 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 paralegals and legal assistants assist Bay Point CA lawyers with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks 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 ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities 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 may take just 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish 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, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be a good option for students living in Bay Point CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater 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 dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Bay Point CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, for instance 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 decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Bay Point CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Bay Point CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Bay Point CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those schools that are within the Bay Point CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based 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 also. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Bay Point CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving 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 available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you select makes available that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Bay Point
Choose the Best Bay Point Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal training school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, 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 education programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Bay Point California.