Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near East Irvine California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near East Irvine CA and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with so many options? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school ought to be taken into consideration as well. We will address those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help East Irvine CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by 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 daily tasks may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, 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 quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in East Irvine CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in East Irvine CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education 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 respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the East Irvine 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 when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, such as 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 final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of East Irvine CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
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 particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few East Irvine CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the East Irvine CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those colleges that are within the East Irvine CA region.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in East Irvine CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near East Irvine CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the procedure is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in East Irvine
Enroll in the Best East Irvine Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal certificate program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your East Irvine home. Paralegal academic programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in East Irvine California.
East Irvine Paralegal Studies | East Irvine Paralegal Schools