Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Fremont California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Fremont CA and start your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of academic options are becoming available 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 with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only qualifiers you must take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be considered also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both fill comparable job positions 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 category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Fremont CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including 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. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their routine activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Fremont CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly respected 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for individuals living in Fremont CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Fremont CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Fremont CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Fremont CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Fremont CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest 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 help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial 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? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be a good idea to enroll in a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to first look at those schools that are within the Fremont CA area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Fremont CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Fremont CA, make certain 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. Last, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Fremont
Choose the Right Fremont Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies certificate school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Fremont home. Paralegal training programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Fremont California.
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