Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Compton California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Compton CA and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to achieve success. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account also. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available 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, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Compton CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their day-to-day activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- 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 quite challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Compton CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be a good option for individuals living in Compton CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Compton CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important issues to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training 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 get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Compton CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm 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 graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Compton CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first consider those schools that are within the Compton CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember 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 contact the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Compton CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Compton 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 select provides that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Compton
Enroll in the Right Compton Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal training school is a vital 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Compton home. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Compton California.