Paralegal Studies School
How to Pick the Right One Near Hesperia California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Hesperia CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. More and more educational options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school with numerous alternatives? Some prospective students begin by searching for schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals essentially both hold comparable 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 separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Hesperia CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be diverse in support of the practices where they are employed, but some of their everyday activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. However, what they are not legally allowed to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not restricted to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Hesperia CA is by earning a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and can be a good option for those living in Hesperia CA searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at a minimum 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 reviewing are accredited by a highly regarded organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Hesperia CA area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other crucial issues to think about also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain 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 receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. A number of Hesperia CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Hesperia CA law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Hesperia CA legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. 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 sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you wish to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those schools that are within the Hesperia CA region.
How Much is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help minimize some of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Hesperia CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Hesperia CA, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you choose provides that option. Finally, inquire what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Hesperia
Enroll in the Right Hesperia Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal certificate school is an essential first step toward 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 attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Hesperia residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to evaluate each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Hesperia California.