Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Chula Vista California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Chula Vista CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with so many options? Many prospective students begin by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be considered too. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one prior to making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions and functions, just 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 legal assistants and paralegals help Chula Vista CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon 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 delivering files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more suited 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 ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Chula Vista CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be an excellent option for those living in Chula Vista CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain 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 study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Chula Vista CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. 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 previously discussed, there are other critical aspects to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable organization 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 focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Chula Vista CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Chula Vista CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start developing contacts within the Chula Vista CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Chula Vista CA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Chula Vista CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Chula Vista CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Chula Vista
Enroll in the Right Chula Vista Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Chula Vista home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Chula Vista California.
Chula Vista Paralegal Certificate Programs | Chula Vista Paralegal Certificate