Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Half Moon Bay California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Half Moon Bay CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. However, it's crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic options are becoming available, both at school and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? A number of potential students start by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program should be considered also. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable job positions 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 different job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Half Moon Bay CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might assist with trial logistics or transporting documents to court. In private firms, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they are employed, but a few of their regular activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks 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 have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in Half Moon Bay CA is by earning a certificate, which can require just 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and can be a good alternative for those living in Half Moon 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 earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs available at junior and community colleges in the Half Moon Bay CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other crucial issues to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Half Moon Bay CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Half Moon Bay CA law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Half Moon Bay CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Half Moon Bay CA region.
What is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize part of the cost, so don't forget to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Half Moon Bay CA. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Half Moon Bay CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Half Moon Bay
Enroll in the Right Half Moon Bay Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Half Moon Bay residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Half Moon Bay California.
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