Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Clovis California

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Clovis CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. More and more academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both at school 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 program with so many alternatives? Many prospective students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.

Paralegals vs Legal Assistants

Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, 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 separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Clovis CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine tasks can include:

• Investigating and fact checking cases
• Researching relevant cases and laws
• Drafting correspondence and legal papers
• Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
• Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
• Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records

With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice 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. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.

Paralegal Education and Certification

As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Clovis CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.

Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools

Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more available and can be a good alternative for students living in Clovis CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Paralegal Schools

Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Clovis CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial aspects to think about also, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.

Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee 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 as well. A number of Clovis 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 programs.

What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Clovis CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.

Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin creating contacts within the Clovis CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably 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 schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those schools that are within the Clovis CA area.

How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember 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 department to find out what is offered in Clovis CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.

Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Clovis CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Clovis

Choose the Right Clovis Paralegal Studies School

Selecting the right paralegal studies training program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Clovis residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Clovis California.

 

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