Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Best One Near Gilroy California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Gilroy CA and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying career in legal services. But in order to assure your success, it’s essential that you locate the best program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into account as well. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to 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 what a paralegal does and the academic 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 roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Gilroy CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Gilroy CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and may be a good option for those living in Gilroy CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary 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 education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Gilroy CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. 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 Gilroy CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically offered only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Gilroy CA law firms that you may have an interest 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 excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Gilroy CA legal community. 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 after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those colleges that are within the Gilroy CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Gilroy CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Gilroy 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 makes available that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Gilroy
Enroll in the Best Gilroy Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies degree school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Gilroy residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to evaluate each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Gilroy California.