Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Colton California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Colton CA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. More and more educational choices 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. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you should consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into consideration also. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Colton CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily activities might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare 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 rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Colton CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Colton CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address 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 certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Colton CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant aspects to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Colton CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Colton CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Colton CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Colton CA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Colton CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Colton CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Colton
Choose the Best Colton Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Colton home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Colton California.