Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Cathedral City California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Cathedral City CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students start by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into account also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Cathedral City CA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their routine tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. 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 proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Cathedral City CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and can be a good option for individuals living in Cathedral City CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Cathedral City CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must 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 many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant aspects to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at 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 ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Cathedral City CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Cathedral City CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Cathedral City CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it may be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to work. 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 want to initially look at those schools that are within the Cathedral City CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Cathedral City CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Cathedral City CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Cathedral City
Choose the Best Cathedral City Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies training school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 Cathedral City residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Cathedral City California.
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