Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Hawthorne California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Hawthorne CA and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the right school so that you will receive 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 more and more educational alternatives are becoming available, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with numerous alternatives? Some potential students begin by trying to find schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when picking a school, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school should be taken into consideration also. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your choice. But first, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold the same job positions and functions, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Hawthorne CA lawyers with a diverse array 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 firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their daily tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to administrative or clerical duties 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 preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Hawthorne CA is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be an excellent option for students living in Hawthorne CA looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to students who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Hawthorne CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant aspects to think about as well, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school 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 can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Hawthorne CA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Hawthorne CA law offices 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 among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Hawthorne CA legal field. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting 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 placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign 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 may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Hawthorne CA area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Hawthorne CA. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Hawthorne CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Hawthorne
Choose the Right Hawthorne Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the right paralegal studies degree school is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Hawthorne home. Paralegal training programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you decide to acquire your training 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 decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Hawthorne California.