Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Right One Near Covina California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Covina CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only factors you must consider. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into consideration as well. Later on in this post we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your decision. But first, 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 vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Covina CA attorneys with a diverse array of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give 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 truly are the right hand 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 volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Covina CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can 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 earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and may be a good option for students living in Covina CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Covina CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant factors to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a recognized organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Covina CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Covina CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Covina CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success 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 graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Covina CA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Covina CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Covina CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Covina
Choose the Right Covina Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding 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 comfort and privacy of your Covina home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Covina California.
Covina Paralegal Certificate Programs | Covina Paralegal Certificate