Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Blythe California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Blythe CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Blythe CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their routine tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- 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 job of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. 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 action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Blythe CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be a good option for those living in Blythe CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about 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 junior and community colleges in the Blythe CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can 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 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 critical aspects to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Blythe CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Blythe CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Blythe CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Blythe CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Blythe CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Blythe CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Blythe
Choose the Best Blythe Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best 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 article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Blythe residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Blythe California.