Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Fullerton California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Fullerton CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you find the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are very important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at 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 and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job roles 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 legal assistants and paralegals help Fullerton CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm 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 practices, a paralegal's work 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 follow a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to start your career as a paralegal in Fullerton CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover 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 paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more prevalent and can be a good option for those living in Fullerton CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to individuals who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address 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 sure that the program and school you are looking into 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 structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Fullerton CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Fullerton CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Fullerton CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Fullerton CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be a good idea to select a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to first investigate those schools that are within the Fullerton CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Fullerton CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Fullerton CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Fullerton
Choose the Right Fullerton Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies training program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Fullerton residence. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds 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 program will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Fullerton California.
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