Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Concord California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Concord CA and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to be successful. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students begin by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your decision. But first, 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 Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Concord CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour 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 duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their everyday activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Concord CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be a good option for individuals living in Concord CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain 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 conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Concord CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain 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 get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Concord CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying 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 contact some Concord CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Concord CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance 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 students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those colleges that are within the Concord CA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Concord CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Concord CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Concord
Choose the Right Concord Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Concord residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Concord California.
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