Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Bell Gardens California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Bell Gardens CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Bell Gardens CA attorneys with a wide range 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 are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their routine activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. 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 clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Bell Gardens CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Bell Gardens CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate 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 training options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Bell Gardens CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective 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 critical aspects to consider also, such as 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 researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Bell Gardens CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Bell Gardens CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Bell Gardens CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first investigate those colleges that are within the Bell Gardens CA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Bell Gardens CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Bell Gardens CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Bell Gardens
Enroll in the Best Bell Gardens Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Bell Gardens residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Bell Gardens California.
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