Paralegal Studies Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Hermosa Beach California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Hermosa Beach CA and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal program so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more educational options are being offered, both on campus and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? A number of potential students start by trying to find schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be taken into account as well. Later in this article we will review a list of questions that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your choice. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Hermosa Beach CA attorneys with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. 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 could help with trial logistics or delivering files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and comply with 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 everyday tasks can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Drafting correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to clerical or administrative duties 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 manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically 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 quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Hermosa Beach CA is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more available and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Hermosa Beach CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to individuals who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover 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 program and school you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational options are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Hermosa Beach CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential 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 critical aspects to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized organization 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 focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Hermosa Beach CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Hermosa Beach CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Hermosa Beach CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in California or the state where you wish to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to establish relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first investigate those schools that are within the Hermosa Beach CA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential earned and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Hermosa Beach CA. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Hermosa Beach CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Last, inquire what the process is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Hermosa Beach
Enroll in the Best Hermosa Beach Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies certificate school is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Hermosa Beach home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to evaluate each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Hermosa Beach California.
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