Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Right One Near Foothill Farms California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Foothill Farms CA and start your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with numerous options? Some potential students begin by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when picking a college, they are not the only factors you should consider. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Foothill Farms CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their regular tasks might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical functions 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 ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Foothill Farms CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as 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 obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Foothill Farms CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at the very least 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 looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the process of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Foothill Farms CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective 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 also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Foothill Farms CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Foothill Farms CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Foothill Farms CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Foothill Farms CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Foothill Farms CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Foothill Farms CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you select makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Foothill Farms
Enroll in the Best Foothill Farms Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Foothill Farms home. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to review each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Foothill Farms California.
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