Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Bonita California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Bonita CA and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be taken into account as well. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Bonita CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Bonita CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and can be an excellent option for those living in Bonita CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, 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 receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Bonita CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to research as well, such as 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 researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Bonita CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Bonita 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 the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to start creating contacts within the Bonita CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Bonita CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Bonita CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Bonita CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you choose provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Bonita
Choose the Best Bonita Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Bonita residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Bonita California.