Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Danville California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Danville CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of 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 approach finding the right school with so many alternatives? Some potential students start by looking for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into account as well. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Danville CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by 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 routine activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions 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 preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Danville CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Danville CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Danville CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true if 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 looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School 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 program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Danville CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession 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 confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Danville CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Danville CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the area where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Danville CA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Danville CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Danville CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Danville
Choose the Best Danville Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Danville residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Danville California.
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