Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near Boyle Heights California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Boyle Heights CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many options? Many prospective students begin by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Boyle Heights 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 relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep 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 very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
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. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Boyle Heights CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for students living in Boyle Heights CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Boyle Heights CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to think about 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 researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a recognized 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 help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Boyle Heights CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Boyle Heights CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Boyle Heights CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Boyle Heights CA region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Boyle Heights CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Boyle Heights CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Boyle Heights
Enroll in the Best Boyle Heights Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal training program is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Boyle Heights home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Boyle Heights California.
Boyle Heights Paralegal Studies | Boyle Heights Paralegal Schools