Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Echo Park California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Echo Park CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to achieve success. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? A number of potential students begin by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other vital 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 academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job positions and functions, only 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 help Echo Park CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular tasks might involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting 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 role of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Echo Park CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Echo Park CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to individuals who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more 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 considering are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Echo Park CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective 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 significant aspects to research as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Echo Park CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Echo Park CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Echo Park CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging 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 indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary among states, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Echo Park CA area.
How Much is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help minimize part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Echo Park CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Echo Park CA, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Echo Park
Choose the Best Echo Park Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies training program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered 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 Echo Park residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Echo Park California.