Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near Duarte California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Duarte CA and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more educational options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Duarte CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly 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 mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their daily tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and rather challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Duarte CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies in the field 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 advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for those living in Duarte CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Duarte CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial issues to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Duarte CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Duarte CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Duarte CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. 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 sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the Duarte CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Duarte CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Duarte CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Duarte
Enroll in the Best Duarte Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Duarte home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to evaluate each program and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Duarte California.
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