Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Greenfield California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Greenfield CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need to achieve success. More and more academic options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a school, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your decision. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill 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 separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Greenfield CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may help with the logistics of a trial or delivering files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is typically billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their daily activities may include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to administrative or clerical tasks more applicable 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Greenfield CA is by earning a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Greenfield CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Greenfield CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other crucial issues to think about as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded 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 online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Greenfield CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Greenfield CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear 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 School 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 offer a means for students to start creating contacts within the Greenfield CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws vary among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those colleges that are within the Greenfield CA region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help offset part of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Greenfield CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Greenfield CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Greenfield
Enroll in the Right Greenfield Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal studies training school is an essential 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 Greenfield home. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you elect to acquire your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Greenfield California.
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