Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Grass Valley California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Grass Valley CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you require to achieve success. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with so many alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are prime considerations when choosing a college, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program need to be taken into consideration too. Later in this post we will review a list of concerns that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job roles and functions, just 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Grass Valley CA lawyers with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Grass Valley CA is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and may be an excellent option for students living in Grass Valley CA searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary 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 cover in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Grass Valley CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial factors to research also, for instance accreditation and the reputation 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 effectively vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain 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 quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Grass Valley CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of special importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Grass Valley CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Grass Valley CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering 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 substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary from one state to another, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to create relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially look at those colleges that are within the Grass Valley CA area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Grass Valley CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Grass Valley CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose makes available that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Grass Valley
Enroll in the Right Grass Valley Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Grass Valley residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Grass Valley California.
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