Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Florin California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Florin CA and start your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. More and more academic options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous options? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's take a look at 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 basically both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Florin CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep 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 rather demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Florin CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although 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 also. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Florin CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Florin CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. 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 already discussed, there are other significant aspects to research as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Florin CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Florin CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a means for students to start developing contacts within the Florin CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing 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 good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Florin CA area.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Florin CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Florin CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Florin
Enroll in the Best Florin Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Florin home. Paralegal education programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various 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 school will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Florin California.
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