Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Best One Near Dinuba California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Dinuba CA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. More and more academic choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your decision. 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 basically both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, 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 paralegals and legal assistants help Dinuba CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their day-to-day activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals 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 volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Dinuba CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for students living in Dinuba CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Dinuba CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical factors to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Dinuba CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Dinuba CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Dinuba CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Dinuba CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Dinuba CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Dinuba CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you select provides that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Dinuba
Enroll in the Right Dinuba Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies training school is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Dinuba residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Dinuba California.
Dinuba Paralegal Training | Dinuba How To Become A Paralegal