Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Choose the Right One Near Glendora California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Glendora CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. A growing number of educational alternatives are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of prospective students begin by looking for schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are prime considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you need to take into consideration. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Glendora CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, 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 firm might assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily activities can include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and rather challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted 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 since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Glendora 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 furnish a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. When you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Training
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for individuals living in Glendora CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least 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, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can begin the process of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Glendora CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn 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 the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant issues to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency 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 distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Glendora CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Glendora CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Glendora CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws vary among states, it may be a good idea to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Glendora CA region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be available to help offset some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Glendora CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Glendora CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you enroll in offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Glendora
Enroll in the Right Glendora Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal degree program is an essential first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Glendora home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Glendora California.