Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Buena Park California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Buena Park CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered as well. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Buena Park CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Buena Park CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and may be a good alternative for those living in Buena Park CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training 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 highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Buena Park CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. 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 covered, there are other important factors to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Buena Park CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Buena Park CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Buena Park CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason 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 reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Buena Park CA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Buena Park CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Buena Park CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Buena Park
Choose the Best Buena Park Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal certificate school is an important first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Buena Park residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and 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, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your training 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 selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Buena Park California.