Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Boyle Heights California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Boyle Heights CA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you find the right program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic options 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. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Boyle Heights CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more applicable 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 ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Boyle Heights CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Boyle Heights CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Boyle Heights CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important factors to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a reputable organization 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 training. 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 Boyle Heights CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking 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 contact some Boyle Heights CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Boyle Heights CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Boyle Heights CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Boyle Heights CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Boyle Heights CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Boyle Heights
Choose the Best Boyle Heights Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Boyle Heights home. Paralegal education programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Boyle Heights California.
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