Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Hawaiian Gardens California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Hawaiian Gardens CA and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics 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 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
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Hawaiian Gardens CA lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transferring files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their routine activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more apropos 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 ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Hawaiian Gardens CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous 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 acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and receive a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be an excellent option for those living in Hawaiian Gardens CA looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials may 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 ensure that the education you obtain 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 attend classes in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Hawaiian Gardens CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can compare 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 start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important 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 investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Hawaiian Gardens CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Hawaiian Gardens CA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a means for students to start developing contacts within the Hawaiian Gardens CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. 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 a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially consider those schools that are within the Hawaiian Gardens CA region.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Hawaiian Gardens CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Hawaiian Gardens CA, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Hawaiian Gardens
Choose the Right Hawaiian Gardens Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is a vital 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 Hawaiian Gardens home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to review each school and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Hawaiian Gardens California.
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