Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Discovery Bay California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Discovery Bay CA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into account too. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, 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 Discovery Bay CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping 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 complicated and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume 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 perhaps 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 legal assistant in Discovery Bay CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Discovery Bay CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized 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 training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study 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 Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Discovery Bay CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly 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 begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain 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 standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Discovery Bay CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Discovery Bay CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Discovery Bay CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Discovery Bay CA area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount 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 also. Financial aid may be available to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Discovery Bay CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Discovery Bay CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select makes available that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Discovery Bay
Enroll in the Right Discovery Bay Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Discovery Bay home. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Discovery Bay California.
Discovery Bay Paralegal Studies | Discovery Bay Paralegal Schools