Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Florence Graham California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Florence Graham CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to achieve success. More and more educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other crucial 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 offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, only 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 classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Florence Graham CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their day-to-day tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients 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. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Florence Graham CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits 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 Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more popular and can be an excellent option for those living in Florence Graham CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced 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 education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Florence Graham CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to research as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it can 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 show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Florence Graham CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal 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 training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Florence Graham CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Florence Graham 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 entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ among states, it may be beneficial to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially consider those colleges that are within the Florence Graham CA area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Florence Graham CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Florence Graham CA, make sure 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, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Florence Graham
Enroll in the Best Florence Graham Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies degree school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Florence Graham home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Florence Graham California.
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