Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Granite Bay California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Granite Bay CA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with so many options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program ought to be considered also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your choice. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Granite Bay CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their regular tasks may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys prepare 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 involved and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really 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 take on 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 possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities 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 can take just six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations in the profession 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 school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Granite Bay CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added benefit, online schools can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address 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 sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Granite Bay CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Granite Bay CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Checking that the program you select is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Granite Bay CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin creating contacts within the Granite Bay CA legal field. 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 available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing 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 students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Granite Bay CA area.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based 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 might be available to help minimize some of the cost, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Granite Bay CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Granite Bay CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you choose makes available that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making-up classes missed because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Granite Bay
Enroll in the Best Granite Bay Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Granite Bay home. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to assess each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Granite Bay California.
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