Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Daly City California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Daly City CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Daly City CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a paralegal in Daly City CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure 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 prevalent and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Daly City CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Daly City CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate 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 potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Daly City CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Daly City CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Daly City CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire 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 want to first consider those colleges that are within the Daly City CA area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending 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 cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Daly City CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Daly City CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you select makes available that option. Last, ask what the process is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Daly City
Enroll in the Best Daly City Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Daly City home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Daly City California.
Daly City Paralegal Certificate | Daly City Paralegal Degrees