Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near Clovis California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Clovis CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. More and more academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students start by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you must consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into consideration too. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable 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 different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Clovis CA lawyers 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 based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys 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 complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically 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 begin your career as a paralegal in Clovis CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more popular and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Clovis CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes 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 online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater 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 thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Clovis CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. 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 important aspects to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Clovis CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually offered only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Clovis CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Clovis CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Clovis CA area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the amount 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 as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Clovis CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Clovis CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Clovis
Enroll in the Best Clovis Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Clovis home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Clovis California.