Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Fallbrook California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fallbrook CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic choices are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program need to be taken into account too. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, 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 vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Fallbrook CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their regular activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education 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 educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Fallbrook CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be earned 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 also. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you may choose 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 improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 program (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for those living in Fallbrook CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, 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 obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing 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 supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Fallbrook CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial aspects to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive 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 receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Fallbrook CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Fallbrook CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Fallbrook CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs 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 hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to practice. 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 might wish to first look at those schools that are within the Fallbrook CA area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. 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 aid might be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Fallbrook CA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Fallbrook 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 enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Fallbrook
Enroll in the Best Fallbrook Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Fallbrook home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to examine each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Fallbrook California.