Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Chico California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Chico CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. A growing number of educational 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. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start 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 school, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives 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 same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Chico CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Chico CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Chico CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Chico CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Chico CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Chico CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Chico CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance 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 corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Chico CA region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. Having said that, 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 as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Chico CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Chico CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you select makes available that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Chico
Enroll in the Right Chico Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal degree school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Chico home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Chico California.