Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Compton California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Compton CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? Many prospective students begin by trying to find schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into account too. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Compton CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Compton CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Compton CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Compton CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to consider also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get 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 receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Compton CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Compton CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Compton CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Compton CA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Compton CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Compton 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 choose offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Compton
Enroll in the Right Compton Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal degree program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Compton home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your final decision. And with the right education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Compton California.