Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Best One Near Calabasas California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Calabasas CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into consideration as well. We will address those issues and other crucial 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 what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Calabasas CA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Calabasas CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your career 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be an excellent option for students living in Calabasas CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Calabasas CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Calabasas CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Calabasas CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start establishing contacts within the Calabasas CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable 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's Location? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those schools that are within the Calabasas CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Calabasas CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Calabasas CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Calabasas
Choose the Best Calabasas Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Calabasas home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school 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 schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Calabasas California.
Calabasas How To Become A Paralegal | Calabasas Paralegal Certificate Online