Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Clayton California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Clayton CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are being offered, both on campus and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Some potential students start by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold comparable job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Clayton CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their regular activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Clayton CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Clayton CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least 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 looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
What 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 process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Clayton CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical issues to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Clayton CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Clayton CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Clayton CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those colleges that are within the Clayton CA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, 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 as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Clayton CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Clayton CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Clayton
Choose the Right Clayton Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Clayton residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public 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 school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Clayton California.