Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Eastvale California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Eastvale 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 extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both on campus and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one begin? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, 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 vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, 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 paralegals and legal assistants help Eastvale CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by 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 everyday tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly 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 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 educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Eastvale CA is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for students living in Eastvale CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Eastvale CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly true when you add 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance 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 also. A number of Eastvale CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior 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. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Eastvale CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also offer a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Eastvale CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the Eastvale CA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Eastvale CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Eastvale CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you select provides that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Eastvale
Choose the Right Eastvale Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal training school is a vital first step to guarantee 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 attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Eastvale residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Eastvale California.
Eastvale Paralegal Training | Eastvale How To Become A Paralegal