Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find 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 begin the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you find the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold 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 separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Cupertino CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education 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 job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Cupertino CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at many 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 choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few 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 earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and can be a good option for those living in Cupertino CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures 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 greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Cupertino CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical issues to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Cupertino CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Cupertino CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin developing contacts within the Cupertino CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon 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 difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require 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 region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Cupertino CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Cupertino CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Cupertino
Enroll in the Best Cupertino Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Cupertino home. Paralegal education programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Cupertino California.