Paralegal Studies Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Granite Bay California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Granite Bay CA and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the ideal program so that you will get the extensive 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 being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you ought to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your choice. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Granite Bay CA lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific 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 firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their routine activities may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers 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 duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical duties more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically 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 begin your career as a legal assistant in Granite Bay CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for those living in Granite Bay CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Granite Bay CA area, in addition to vocational and trade 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 most potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important factors to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Granite Bay CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Granite Bay CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Granite Bay CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. 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 obtain your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to initially look at those schools that are within the Granite Bay CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be accessible to help reduce part of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Granite Bay CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Granite Bay CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Granite Bay
Choose the Right Granite Bay Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 privacy and comfort of your Granite Bay home. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Several kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter 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 examine each program and make your final selection. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Granite Bay California.
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