Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Right One Near Bell California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Bell CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, 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 program with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, 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 weigh when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, 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 help Bell CA attorneys with a wide range 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 legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Preparing 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 documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Bell CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Bell CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address 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 certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Bell CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs 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 accrediting agency 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 targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Bell CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Bell CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Bell CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Bell CA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based 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 supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Bell CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Bell CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you select provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Bell
Enroll in the Right Bell Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Bell home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Bell California.