Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Encinitas California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Encinitas CA and start your journey that will result in a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the school should be considered too. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your decision. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational choices 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 assist Encinitas CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as 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 may help with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their routine tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Encinitas CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and can be an excellent option for those living in Encinitas CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things 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 obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Encinitas CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly 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 start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized organization 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 focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Encinitas CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Encinitas CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Encinitas CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Encinitas CA area.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Encinitas CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Encinitas CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Encinitas
Enroll in the Right Encinitas Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies certificate program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Encinitas home. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions offer 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 impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Encinitas California.