Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Right One Near Cupertino California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Cupertino CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students start by searching for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. 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 and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both hold the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Cupertino CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Cupertino CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more popular and may be a good option for those living in Cupertino CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive 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 attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Cupertino CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical aspects to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Cupertino CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Cupertino CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Cupertino CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those schools that are within the Cupertino CA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Cupertino CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Cupertino CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Cupertino
Enroll in the Right Cupertino Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step toward 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 attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Cupertino residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Cupertino California.