Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Clearlake California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Clearlake CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s important that you find the best program so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students start by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Clearlake CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their everyday activities may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very 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 proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs 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 educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Clearlake CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for students living in Clearlake CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about 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 supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Clearlake CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Clearlake CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick 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 contact a few Clearlake CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Clearlake CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to first consider those schools that are within the Clearlake CA area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Clearlake CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Clearlake CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Clearlake
Choose the Best Clearlake Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Clearlake home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Clearlake California.
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