Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Castaic California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Castaic CA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school should be taken into account too. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals 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 separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Castaic CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level 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 daily activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Castaic CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Castaic CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Castaic CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Castaic CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Castaic CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Castaic CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs 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 provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. 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 sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the Castaic CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Castaic CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Castaic CA, make sure 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, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Castaic
Choose the Best Castaic Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal degree program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Castaic home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Castaic California.
Castaic Paralegal Certificate Online | Castaic Paralegal Studies