Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Discovery Bay California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Discovery Bay CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. However with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into account too. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Discovery Bay CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially 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 way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Discovery Bay CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish 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 school (we will cover 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 Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for students living in Discovery Bay CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Discovery Bay CA area, as well as 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 certificate and degree 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 critical issues to research also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Discovery Bay CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Discovery Bay CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what 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 excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Discovery Bay CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those colleges that are within the Discovery Bay CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Discovery Bay CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Discovery Bay CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Discovery Bay
Choose the Right Discovery Bay Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Discovery Bay home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Discovery Bay California.
Discovery Bay Paralegal Certificate | Discovery Bay Paralegal Degrees