Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Right One Near Brentwood California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Brentwood CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with so many alternatives? Some prospective students start by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you need to consider. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at 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 basically both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Brentwood CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, 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 practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their regular tasks can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Brentwood CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want 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 increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Brentwood CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as 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 may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Brentwood CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important issues to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Brentwood CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Brentwood CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Brentwood CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide 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 hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Brentwood CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Brentwood CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Brentwood CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, 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 protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Brentwood
Choose the Right Brentwood Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies degree school is an essential 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 on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Brentwood home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Brentwood California.
Brentwood Paralegal Certificate | Brentwood Paralegal Degrees