Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Glendale California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Glendale CA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous options? Some potential students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into account too. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals for the most part both hold the same job roles and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, 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 Glendale CA attorneys with a wide range of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular activities may involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Glendale CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive 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. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Glendale CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Glendale 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 if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of 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 critical aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Glendale CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior work history, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Glendale CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Glendale CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be a good idea to select a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those colleges that are within the Glendale CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help offset part of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Glendale CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Glendale CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Glendale
Choose the Best Glendale Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal certificate program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Glendale residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to receive 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 ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Glendale California.
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