Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Dixon California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Dixon CA and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school must be considered as well. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Dixon CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their regular activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative duties 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, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Dixon CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Dixon CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in greater 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 program and school you are reviewing 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 conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Dixon CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Dixon CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research 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 profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Dixon CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Dixon CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Dixon CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Dixon CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Dixon CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Dixon
Choose the Best Dixon Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal training 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 choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Dixon residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Dixon California.