Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Grass Valley California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Grass Valley CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with numerous alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into consideration as well. Later in this article we will cover a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare each one before making your decision. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job positions and functions, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Grass Valley CA lawyers with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the practices where they work, but some of their routine activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. 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 action. But paralegals are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Grass Valley CA is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may want 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 boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and may be a good option for individuals living in Grass Valley CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Grass Valley CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out 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 searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important issues to research as well, 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 programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency 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 education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Grass Valley CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few Grass Valley CA law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask what 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 School Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also present a means for students to start establishing contacts within the Grass Valley CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first investigate those colleges that are within the Grass Valley CA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be available to help offset some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Grass Valley CA. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Grass Valley CA, make sure classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Grass Valley
Enroll in the Right Grass Valley Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Grass Valley home. Paralegal training programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, 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. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Grass Valley California.
Grass Valley Paralegal Certificate | Grass Valley Paralegal Degrees