Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Find the Right One Near Eastvale California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Eastvale CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to be successful. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous options? Some potential students start by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be taken into consideration as well. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Eastvale CA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Eastvale 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 provide a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more common and can be an excellent option for students living in Eastvale CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can 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 education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Eastvale CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to consider also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential 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 school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Eastvale CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep 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 Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Eastvale CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you wish 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 need to first look at those colleges that are within the Eastvale CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable 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. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Eastvale CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Eastvale
Choose the Right Eastvale Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal training school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Eastvale home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Eastvale California.
Eastvale Paralegal Certificate Online | Eastvale Paralegal Studies