Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Right One Near Dixon California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Dixon CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available 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? Some prospective students begin by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those topics and other crucial 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 alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job positions 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 separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Dixon CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a legal assistant in Dixon CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Dixon CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Dixon CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential 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 important issues to research as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Dixon CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Dixon CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Dixon CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement 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 confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to first look at those colleges that are within the Dixon CA region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Dixon CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Dixon CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Dixon
Choose the Best Dixon Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree 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 option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Dixon home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Dixon California.
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