Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Benicia California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Benicia CA and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students begin by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into account also. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same job positions 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Benicia CA lawyers 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. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because 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 alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Benicia CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for students living in Benicia CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Benicia CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency 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 focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Benicia CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available 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 specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Benicia CA law offices 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 ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Benicia CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer 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 probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good 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 in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Benicia CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Benicia CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Benicia CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Benicia
Enroll in the Best Benicia Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Benicia home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training 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 ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Benicia California.