Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Gardena California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Gardena CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. However with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later in this post we will review a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Gardena CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Gardena CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and may be a good option for students living in Gardena CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Gardena CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial aspects to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a recognized 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 targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Gardena CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are new to the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose 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 several Gardena CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Gardena CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Gardena CA region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Gardena 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 Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Gardena CA, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Gardena
Choose the Best Gardena Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Gardena home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can realize your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Gardena California.
Gardena Paralegal Programs | Gardena Paralegal Certificate Programs