Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Cypress California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Cypress CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more educational choices are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students begin by trying to find schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Cypress CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their regular activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay 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 complicated and rather 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 action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Cypress CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be a good option for individuals living in Cypress CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Cypress CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important issues to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Cypress CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Cypress CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduation 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 School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Cypress CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the Cypress CA area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Cypress CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Cypress CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose offers that option. Finally, inquire 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 Cypress
Choose the Right Cypress Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Cypress home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade 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 wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Cypress California.