Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Citrus Heights California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Citrus Heights CA and start your journey that will lead to a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous options? Some potential students begin by searching for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Citrus Heights CA attorneys with a diverse array 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 work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their everyday tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather 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 paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education 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 opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Citrus Heights CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn 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 substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and can be a good alternative for students living in Citrus Heights CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Citrus Heights CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant factors to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a recognized 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 distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Citrus Heights 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 schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Citrus Heights CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Citrus Heights CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Citrus Heights CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible 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 Citrus Heights CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Citrus Heights CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, 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 process is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Citrus Heights
Choose the Best Citrus Heights Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies training program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Citrus Heights home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Citrus Heights California.
Citrus Heights Paralegal Studies | Citrus Heights Paralegal Schools