Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near El Cajon California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near El Cajon CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? A number of prospective students begin by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be taken into account as well. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both fill the same 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help El Cajon CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their everyday activities can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited 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 preparation and ground work, 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 actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in El Cajon CA is by earning a certificate, which may take just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and can be a good option for students living in El Cajon CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the El Cajon CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like many prospective 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 important factors to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency 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 targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous El Cajon CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick 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 several El Cajon CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the El Cajon CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide 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 secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high 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 students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Since laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the El Cajon CA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in El Cajon CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near El Cajon CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Finally, inquire what the procedure is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in El Cajon
Enroll in the Best El Cajon Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate program is a crucial first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your El Cajon home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in El Cajon California.