Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Best One Near Campbell California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Campbell CA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? A number of potential students begin by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into account also. Later in this article we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job positions and functions, 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 legal assistants and paralegals assist Campbell CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Campbell CA is by earning a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Campbell CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Campbell CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to research as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee 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 Campbell CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Campbell CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Campbell CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering 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 great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to 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 Campbell CA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Campbell CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Campbell CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Campbell
Choose the Best Campbell Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Campbell home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Campbell California.